25 Top Read-Aloud Tips to Keep Kids Engaged
February 5, 2025
Reading aloud to children is one of the most effective ways to foster a love of literature, improve literacy skills, and create lasting bonds with the books’ characters and family members. The strategies for keeping kids engaged during read-aloud sessions vary by age group, as developmental stages influence attention spans and interests. Check out these tips and book recommendations per age group, adults included!
Preschool Tips (Ages 2-5)
Choose Interactive Books: Look for books with flaps to lift, textures to touch, or built-in prompts for participation. The tactile stimulation prompts young ones to engage in reading, building a love and familiarity with books.
Use Animated Voices: Bring characters to life by varying your tone and using different voices. Animated voices can enhance language and speech development in preschoolers, such as improving their understanding of intonation, rhythm, and emotion in speech.
Keep It Short and Sweet: Young children have limited attention spans – Opt for books with concise text and engaging illustrations for everyone’s enjoyment.
Incorporate Songs and Rhymes: Books with repetitive phrases or rhyming text are more engaging for preschoolers and help them develop language skills.
Ask Simple Questions: Occasionally pause your reading to ask questions like, “What do you think happens next?” or “Can you find the red ball?”
Book Recommendations:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr.
Elementary School Tips (Ages 6-10)
Let Them Choose: Let kids select books that pique their interests. If your kid loves dragons, opt for Summer of the Sea Serpent or Dragon of the Red Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne.
Add Drama: Use dramatic pauses, sound effects, and expressive reading to keep the story lively. This turns the book from words and pages to a play and encourages them to do the same at their turn.
Connect to Real Life: Relate the story to their experiences or current events to deepen understanding and introduce critical thinking skills to reading.
Take Turns: Let them read parts of the text to work on reading and public speaking skills.
Discuss Themes: Ask questions about the characters’ decisions or the story’s message.
Book Recommendations:
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Middle School Tips (Ages 11-13)
Choose Relatable Stories: Focus on books with characters facing similar challenges or similar emotions.
Incorporate Audiobooks: Play an audiobook while following along with the text to improve listening skills and introduce new vocabulary. This is a great way to introduce new or longer stories to reluctant readers. It is also a fantastic way to incorporate read-aloud if you have commutes between activities.
Foster Discussion: Engage them with open-ended questions about themes, conflicts, and resolutions.
Pair with Media: Choose books with movie adaptations to compare and contrast.
Respect Their Opinions: Encourage them to express likes, dislikes, and critiques of the book.
Book Recommendations:
Percy Jackson & The Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
High School and Beyond Tips (Ages 14+)
Explore Diverse Genres: Encourage them to explore memoirs, non-fiction, and classic literature. Exploring diverse genres broadens perspectives by exposing readers to different cultures, ideas, and experiences. It also enhances critical thinking skills by challenging them to analyze and interpret a variety of writing styles and viewpoints.
Encourage Peer Discussions: Organize book clubs or discussions with friends. Consider joining the library reading groups by age. Open discussion with peers allows for the continued development of critical thinking skills and public speaking in a smaller forum.
Read Historically Accurate Books: As Spanish Philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Reading biographies and autobiographies is a great way to learn historical events through personal context and provides opportunities to talk about tough topics.
Debate and Analyze: Discuss moral dilemmas, literary techniques, or the author’s purpose. Analyzing the story further develops critical thinking skills and widens literary interest.
Discuss: Beyond peer discussions, reading aloud together creates opportunities to have meaningful discussions, foster connections among family members, and build on reading comprehension. Reading aloud and discussions strengthen a love of literacy and the bonds of the readers.
Book Recommendations:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
1984 by George Orwell
Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician by Katherine Johnson
General Tips for All Ages:
Create a Cozy Environment: Designate a comfortable, distraction-free reading space so that you can dive right in.
Be Consistent: Establish a regular reading routine. It doesn’t have to be daily or even weekly if that is not within your capability, but establishing a routine creates consistency.
Use Props and Visuals: Incorporate items that relate to the story for tactile learners.
Model Enthusiasm: Show excitement about reading to inspire.
Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge milestones, like finishing a chapter or a challenging book.
Reading aloud is a timeless way to connect with kids of all ages. Many of these tips are ones we offer service members when making storytime recordings for the special children in their lives to make their videos more engaging and interactive. By tailoring your approach to their developmental stage and interests, you can make storytime an engaging and enriching experience that leaves a lasting impact and fosters a lifetime love of literacy.
Our literacy tips are presented by Reader’s Digest Foundation.