The Read Aloud Factor: How to Create the Habit That Boosts Your Baby's Brain

by Rekha S. Rajan

We have always known that reading aloud is an important way to bond with your baby and develop language skills.

Now neuroscience research is showing us the long-term benefit that reading aloud has for children—all the way into adulthood. Author Rekha S. Rajan was part of current research that shows individuals who were read to more frequently as children had a measurably healthier brain in old age.

This innovative and accessible book incorporates the latest research on brain development, describes how reading aloud supports language and social-emotional development, and gives parents and caretakers what they need to make read alouds a regular and enjoyable part of the family routine.

 

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2022

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to apply the author's findings and recommendations to my unique situation with my son. It reinforced the value of reading aloud to others, but was really geared towards younger children of typical abilities - as the title suggests - so was marginally applicable to me. I would recommend mostly to new parents and those hoping to become pregnant or parents.

[Marinna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! Not too long and had a lot of information broken down in an east to understand way. I liked that the shorter chapters at the end didn’t drag on and were to the point. The book gives great ideas for books to read to your child at different ages. I do think some of the information regarding technology was a bit ill-informed and heavy on the first hand experience versus data and research driven which felt a bit disappointing. Just because technology has invaded our lives doesn’t make it harmless… I get that there is a general push towards the mentality of “everyone is doing it” so let’s integrate an inclusive message. But yeah. The technology piece also seemed like a missed opportunity to highlight newer devices like the Yoto Player or Tonies Box too. Otherwise I would recommend this! Reading is so important to instill at an early age and any book that encourages reading gets my thumbs up!

[Maureen Tomasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in a sitting, after almost returning it unread. This wasn’t the first book I’ve read about the importance of reading to children and it won’t be the last. It held a few nice reminders and really was focused on starting to read aloud from the beginning of a child’s life, and even mentions during pregnancy for voice recognition.
A few things that didn’t align with me personally included the multiple discussions of Covid, that outsourced schooling is the primary driver of children learning starting with preschool, and the pronouns and such. Just not relevant for my family/situation.
I could appreciate most everything else, some research, easy to read and some ideas to incorporate activities and discussions with reading. I did appreciate the section on using devices as an additional resource for reading. As a parent that doesn’t encourage much screen time, the idea that my toddler could flip through an ebook for a convenience option on the go has never crossed my mind.

[Marmaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5. Wish this app gave that option. Great book, though definitely one that took me some time to complete. A lot of in depth knowledge that really makes you think. Had to borrow several times from my local library to complete but well worth it! I work with children and definitely feel more parents and even educators need to read this book. The self directed stories really jumped out at me because I see so many children in the current generation that have poor reading skills and an aversion to books, which could be greatly reduced if children read books geared more to their interests and build that healthy relationship from a younger age. I definitely plan to recommend this book and look into my local library and schools reading programs and resources. Great read, wish I'd found it sooner

[Judy Monchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like 3.5 but it was an interesting book that basically reinforces the benefits of what I already believe on reading aloud: Reading to babies, toddlers and growing children leads to more inquisitive people and stronger emotional bonds.
The tasks the author suggests are really strong ideas (singing songs, acting out a story, modelling reading, creating a monthly photo book of a child's activities or adventures). And fun. I suspect many parents, grandparents and teachers already do most of these. My toddler granddaughter loves the book my husband created for her that details their adventures together. And she is a riot at picking up the emotions and inflections when we read storybooks or act out songs. The enthusiastic "uh oh!" is accompanied by an an animated face and hands that fly to her cheeks.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. There is some good info here. It felt a little disjointed to me. The chapter on social-emotional development ends up talking about something completely different. Some topics are repeated. The information about phonological awareness is tucked into a chapter about music near the end of the book. The oddest thing for me was that the author refers to babies as "she" or "he" in alternating paragraphs which is a little confusing at times. There are several paragraphs in the book all about why we should be using the pronoun "they" more often. The author should have just used "they" throughout the book. It would have been easier.
There is some decent info about current research in this volume. It is a short and easy read.

[Abraham Arslan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pure Voodoo Science.

I read it with a presumption that it'll be an interesting title of developmental psychology.
Halfway through, I started questioning - how did a publisher give it a go? Then it hits me, it's self-published, and it shows!

The writing is a mess, jumping from one crazy idea to the next. It's like watching a kid throw darts blindfolded - occasionally they might hit something, but mostly it's just wild misses.

To paraphrase an old adage: To err is human, but to produce a veritable smorgasbord of misconceptions and logical fallacies, you need a self-published Kindle author with a penchant for voodoo science.

[Linda Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A critically important book filled with current research regarding the importance of reading aloud to children beginning at birth. A must read for parents, grandparents, and caregivers! The
book reinforced everything I already knew to be true about the importance of reading aloud daily to children to foster brain development, social-emotional health, and vocabulary. I wish the author would have included how books help children develop their stores of background knowledge and empathy as well.

[Rowan Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! My husband and I have a goal to read at least one book at bedtime to our four month old but this just gave me further motivation to read more and more to her. I LOVE all of the book recommendations based on age. Definitely felt like talking to a friend while reading.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't had a chance to read it through but it has many good talking points for baby storytime to share with parents.

[Kelsey Boyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan. I actually didn’t even finish it and that doesn’t happen often.

[Sushant Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but can very well be a short article. Seemed somewhat dragged.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting research on the importance of reading aloud with great tips and recommendations by age group. The writing was a bit repetitive, sometimes too anecdotal, and I disagreed with a few points.

[Kelsey Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing groundbreaking, but I liked the simple, proactive tips about building a read-aloud practice.

[Numps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic!

[Carrie Steller McKneight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not that compelling or informative

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful resources and research reviewed, good ideas and tips shared as well. Took lots of notes!