Top 10 tips on introducing audiobooks to kids

Does your child dislike reading? Or do they become frustrated because they can’t read the words? Or they could be auditory learners who are not keen to read a visual format like traditional books. Just because they don’t like reading, it doesn’t mean they should lose out on the wonderful stories that are in books. Audiobooks is the answer for reluctant readers. The best thing about audiobooks is that they are free because they can be borrowed from the local library or downloaded mostly for free.

1. Audiobooks brings the stories to life. Audiobooks are usually read by celebrity actors who are dramatic readers and therefore it is more interesting to listen to. Some audiobooks have added features like music, sound effects and a cast of characters which makes for a very powerful interpretation.

2. Audiobooks can be “read” while you are doing other activities. These books can be listened to while you are travelling in the car, doing household chores, repetitive tasks or exercising. Any activity that just uses your eyes and hands now becomes potential reading time with your ears.

3. Audiobooks are great for kids whose reading age is much lower than their chronological age. Children who have a low reading level become frustrated when they read by themselves. However, when they listen to these books being read to them, they are still able to enjoy content that is pitched to their age level and interests.

4. Reading an audiobook is a great way to increase sight words. It’s a good idea for kids to have a hard copy of the text while the story is being read. There are audiobooks which indicate when the page needs to be turned or others with uninterrupted reading. In this way they can work on the correct pronunciation too.

5. Audiobooks increases a child’s vocabulary. Children are exposed to new words that are not heard in their daily life situations and they learn intuitively to work out the meaning of the new vocabulary in its context.

 
6. Audiobooks are a fantastic way to improve a child’s listening and focusing skills. It is helpful to introduce children to short stories of about 5 minutes duration, then to longer stories and eventually to chapter books.

7. Audiobooks develops a child’s imagination. These books don’t have illustrations which usually act like picture clues so a child is forced to use their imaginative skills. Further, by listening to audiobooks they internalise the narrative structure subconsciously so when they begin to write their own stories they naturally know to create a setting, add an element of conflict, build the story to a climax and offer a resolution at the end.

8. Audiobooks introduces kids to authors and genres that they would not otherwise choose. Children are motivated to listen to more books from the same author or more books in the series. They also may be motivated to read the hard copy version of the audiobook.

9. Audiobooks create strong family bonding time. Families can listen together to audiobooks while travelling, cooking dinner or before bed. They can then discuss what they read by sharing opinions, making predictions or discussing aspects of the plot, character, theme or setting.

10. Kids that listen to audiobooks become lifelong readers. Children who are introduced to audiobooks early on in life view reading as an intensely pleasurable activity and therefore become lifelong readers. They do not have to wait to learn to read before they discover the magic of books. Long before they can read, they increase their general knowledge by learning about the world around them. The more they know about a subject, they more confident they become in a learning environment.

So, if you haven’t tried it out already, please visit your local library and look at their audio book collection in the form of audio cds, mp3 cds or check out downloadable mp3 files through apps like Overdrive or One Click Digital.