Listening to Audio Books IS Reading

I have so many parents scoff when I recommend audio books for their reluctant readers. They typically say things like "His teacher wants him to READ it himself" or "I don't think she will sit still long enough to listen". For the first, I firmly believe that LISTENING to literature qualifies as "reading" While the audio listener may not be deciphering the letters on the page as they resolve into words, they ARE getting an ideal exposure to the meaning and import of the book itself. And addressing second excuse: kids don't have to just sit still, concentrating as they listen to an audio book. Quiet play with Legos, modeling clay etc. can work for many to keep their hands busy while they listen to the story.

The best of audio book performers and casts breathe expressive life into a story that may otherwise be cast aside, or worse, never explored by a reluctant reader. Listeners hear the proper pronunciation of challenging words. Frequently just the voice actor's inflection can indicate the 'import' or 'intent' of the word - all without a dictionary or thesaurus.

If a student is described as a reluctant reader, the problem can often be traced to their early experience learning to read. Group schooling unfortunately necessitates that students and teachers use any means necessary to keep the general student population apace with each other as they develop their ability to read. But kids are still individuals and many are simply not 'wired' to read comfortably at the same age as their peers. Yes, they typically learn to puzzle out the words and put them together as they read - but these kids are artificially 'forced' into a groove that sometimes predates their natural window to develop an appreciation for reading. They tend to associate reading with a required task that may have been difficult to master and now reading a book seems inextricably associated with "work" rather than pleasure. These are the kids who will likely never read a book for pleasure on their own and they are unlikely to appreciate recreational reading in others.

One of the best ways to reintroduce books to these "turned off" kids is to support the 'no pressure' option of audio books. Especially important for elementary school age kids who are showing signs of reading reluctance, making audio books available can help keep their enthusiasm for the "story" alive. Great book series like "Hank the Cowdog" are perfect on audio for the seven to ten-year-old set. Chinaberry Books also has excellent audio tapes of stories from mythology and literature in a short format that can be listened to by elementary age kids.

Older kids in the middle school years can also be "saved" from reading reluctance if parents offer them books on audio and even commit to listening along in the car with their student during travel time throughout the week. Teens may not be entirely comfortable listening to audio books with their parents, but they may be receptive to trying out an audio book of something their peers are reading for fun. They may appreciate being 'in the loop' with their friends and classmates who are reading popular fiction.

It's been my experience that kids who listen to audio books have a VASTLY improved vocabulary as well. They are not afraid to try and use words that are far beyond the word toolbox of most of their peers. Smart kids. I'll be recommending some of favorite books on tape that may save your kid from a life without literature. Keep your ears on.