Reading aloud is "just right"

On the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Dr. John Hutton of the Reading and Literacy Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital joined Sarah MacKenzie to discuss "What Happens in Your Child's Brain When You Read Aloud." Dr. Hutton explained that our brains repurpose other networks to form a reading network. The different parts - language, visual, imagery, and attention-are first stimulated independently and then begin to connect together when learning to read.

In a study using an MRI scanner, researchers determined reading aloud picture books was the most effective way to build the reading networks. Called the "Goldilocks Effect," Dr. Hutton explained an audio book only was "too cold," causing a strain in the connectivity of the networks. Screen animation was "too hot," causing the network to split apart 50-80% and

focus more on the visual aspect. But an illustrated read aloud format was "just right," resulting in a balanced and efficient operation of the network. The efficiency of the network increases in speed and strength with increased reading, for as the neuroscience maxim goes, "neurons that fire together, wire together."

How wonderful to see scientifically proven what parents and educators know: reading aloud is essential in promoting literacy success in students!

To learn more, check out "The Read-Aloud Family" by Sarah MacKenzie. Complete with reading lists, practical tips, and engaging questions, you'll learn how to cultivate a family culture and children encouraged, energized, and edified by read-alouds.