Mem Fox has been enchanting children and adults with her stories for over thirty years. Tips from Mem Fox on reading to kids highlight just how important this practice is for their development. Not only is she a beloved author, but she’s also a passionate advocate for the value of reading to children. Throughout her life, she has dedicated herself to teaching parents and caregivers why reading aloud to kids, even before they can read themselves, is so crucial.
Mem’s view is based on her belief that one of the most rewarding activities a parent can do is to read aloud. Reading aloud to children is more than just a way of sharing stories. It promotes emotional connections, helps brain development, encourages language acquisition, and prepares kids for academic success. Mem’s insights remind us, however, that reading aloud is an important moment for connecting with parents. It benefits both the reader as well as the listener.
Mem Fox’s Nine Key Principles for Reading Aloud
Mem Fox has taken her years of experience and distilled it into nine key concepts that she believes every parent should know about reading aloud to their children. Mem Fox has compiled nine things every parent should be aware of when reading to their children.
1. A Wonderfully Calming Experience for Parents
Mem reminds parents that reading aloud is a soothing activity for them as well. Sitting down with your child to read can be a welcome break in a busy world.
It’s not only about engaging your child but also relaxing you. Mem says that the rhythm can be almost meditative. Your temperature drops, your heartbeat is slowed; as a parent, you are in a magical place.
Reading together can create a calm space where parents can relax. The act of reading out loud can be a relaxing pause after a day full of demands and distractions. It brings parents and their children together for a focused, shared moment. This allows parents to reset mentally and emotionally, giving them time to unwind.
The ritual of reading out loud can also be a part of your daily routine. Reading aloud to your child, whether before bedtime or in quiet moments during the day, can help you both transition from a busy, hectic pace of life into a peaceful, reflective place. These moments of calmness can be just as important for parents as they are for their children.
2. This Demonstrates Love for the Child and to the Child
In a society filled with distractions–constant texting, emails, social media, and notifications–it can often feel as though we’re too busy to give our children the full attention they need. The beauty of reading out loud comes into play here. You can show your child that you value and love them by reading aloud to them. This is not just about reading the words. It’s also about showing your child that you are paying attention.
Mem Fox emphasizes this connection: “Your children feel honored by the focus.” Kids can feel blocked out in our world of social media, and we’re all too busy. It strengthens the bond between parent-child, making them feel secure and loved.
You are showing your child that they are important by reading with them. It is especially important when there are so many distractions in our world that prevent us from giving loved ones the attention they need. These moments of connection show your child they are important and foster emotional security. They also reinforce the parent-child relationship.
3. It’s Divine For the Child Who Feels Secure
Reading aloud has both emotional and physical benefits. The closeness that is shared when reading has a comforting quality. The physical presence of your child, while you read helps to cultivate an emotional sense of safety and security.
Mem believes that the value of physical proximity is not as important as the mental and emotional safety a child feels during these moments. She says, “It is more of a psychological security.” These quiet, calm reading sessions will help your child feel protected and safe in your care. They will reinforce a feeling of comfort and trust.
Mem stresses that these moments are more than just “safe” in the physical sense. Shared reading time can help children build a positive sense of self and well-being. Early emotional security is crucial for a child’s development as it provides a strong foundation to allow them to explore their world with confidence.
4. It Increases Bonding
It is important to read aloud with your child. This will help you build a stronger relationship. Not only is it about listening to stories, but also about spending time with your child. Mem Fox says that parents can learn a lot about their child’s personality, sense of humor, and likes and dislikes by sharing quiet moments.
She explains, “You learn about your child, the little quirks that make him unique, his personality, and what kind of child he will be. He also gets to know what you like, what you dislike, or what you find funny.
These moments of bonding offer an opportunity to connect at a deeper level. Your child will begin to understand you as you learn about them. This mutual empathy and understanding can form the foundation of a loving relationship as your child grows older.
Reading aloud is a great way to start a discussion. Talking about the book or characters will help you learn what your child finds exciting, surprising, or troubling. This will strengthen your relationship with your child. These conversations will help you build the trust and communication necessary to maintain your relationship.
5. It Develops Language
The direct impact of reading aloud on language development is one of the major benefits. Mem Fox believes that reading aloud regularly helps children improve their language skills. She believes that reading to a child regularly is the best way to predict whether or not they will be able to speak well by age 4.
Mem says that there is a lot to and fro talk around the words of a book. This ‘to and fro’ talk helps develop language.
When parents read to their children aloud, they have the opportunity to engage them. Parents can enrich their children’s vocabulary by asking questions, discussing the pictures or predicting what will happen next. By engaging in these interactions, children can learn new words and improve their language skills.
The back-and-forth exchange helps children develop critical thinking, thoughtful responses, and the ability to express their ideas. Reading aloud to children helps them develop their language skills and become more confident. This will help them succeed in all aspects of life, not only in reading.
6. It Develops Brains
Mem Fox’s interest in reading aloud goes beyond language development. She’s interested in its cognitive benefits. She believes that reading activates the brain in different ways because it engages many senses. Listening to words, looking at pictures, and feeling physically near a parent can stimulate both emotional and cognitive development in children.
Mem says that reading to children develops their sight, hearing, and touch. They are close to us, so they can hear the words.
This multi-sensory activity is essential for brain development. Children develop a variety of cognitive and sensorimotor skills when they hear words, look at illustrations, and feel the warmth of a parent. These skills are the basis for future learning. These early experiences strengthen neural pathways that support academic learning as well as social and emotional development.
The act of reading out loud also strengthens the brain’s ability to retain information, process it, and form connections. Parents can help shape their child’s future learning by providing stimulating experiences at an early age.
7. It Puts a Highly Positive Spin on Books
Mem Fox believes that introducing books in a positive, fun, and engaging way to a child is one of the best things parents can do. When a child is introduced to reading through boring, dry books, they may quickly come to associate reading with frustration or boredom. If the first books a child encounters are exciting and lively, they will develop a love of reading.
Mem asks, “Why would a child want to learn how to read if the first book they encounter is a school-reader, and if that’s the only thing he sees in his first two years of schooling?” “Where’s your reward?”
Parents who read engaging, fun stories to their children are creating a positive relationship with books. Early exposure to engaging stories helps children develop a love of reading. This positive experience ensures that children will approach reading with curiosity and excitement, not with reluctance.
8. Exposes Children to Rhyme, Rhythm, and Repetition
Mem Fox’s books are full of rhymes and rhythmic patterns. These elements are essential for the development of early literacy. Children can learn to understand the sounds and structure of language by listening to rhythmic patterns.
Mem says that if we can help kids predict by using rhyme, rhythm andrepetitiono, they will be able to read more easily.
Children can learn language patterns by using rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. As they learn to read, children begin to recognize syllables and word structures. These elements make reading fun and engaging while also reinforcing important literacy skills.
9. The Foundation for Learning to Read in School
Mem Fox concludes by stating that reading aloud to a child is crucial for their success in formal education. Children who are regularly read to before entering school will find it easier to pick up reading once they are in the classroom.
Mem says, “I’m sure it makes it easier for teachers to help children learn to read if you’ve read them to them before they start school.”
Early reading aloud to your child will lay the foundation for success in school. The goal is not to force children to read early but to create a smooth transition to formal education. Children who are introduced to books at an early age are more confident and ready to tackle the challenges of learning to read.
Mem’s Ten Commandments – Read Aloud
Mem Fox offers 10 tips for parents to get the most from reading aloud.
- Every day, spend at least 10 minutes reading aloud.
- It may be three different stories.
- Enjoy reading aloud to yourself with some animation.
- Enjoy reading with your child and yourself.
- The same pace and intonation should be used each time you read the story your child enjoys.
- Play clapping games, sing nursery rhymes and songs, and talk constantly about the pictures.
- Check for repetition, rhyme, or rhythm in books and ensure they are short.
- Play games using the things on the page. For example, let your child finish rhymes and find letters that begin their name.
- Read with your child, never teach them to read.
- You should read aloud to your child every day because you love being with them and not as a chore.
Conclusion
The simple act of reading out loud to your child can have a profound impact on their development. This isn’t just about teaching your child to read or passing the time; it’s also about building a relationship of trust and understanding. Mem Fox’s wisdom reminds us that reading aloud to your child is one of the most powerful ways to shape their emotional, cognitive, and academic future.
By embracing these moments of connection and joy, you give your child an invaluable gift: love, language, and learning. Make reading aloud to your child a daily, joyful habit. You’ll create precious memories and lay the foundation for a love of reading that will last a lifetime.
