Hey there, fellow book lovers!
You know what? I’ve been writing children’s books for… gosh, must be going on 20 years now. And if there’s one thing I keep telling parents when they grab one of my books at a signing or when they email me – READ IT OUT LOUD. Seriously. Even if your kid can read on their own.
Look, I get it. We’re all busy. Sometimes it feels easier to just hand them a book and let them go at it while you… I dunno, finally fold that laundry that’s been sitting there for 3 days? (No judgment – been there!)
But here’s the thing.
## **Those 15-20 Minutes Are Magic**
When you read aloud to your kids, something special happens. And I’m not just saying this cause I write books for a living. Though, yeah, I kinda have a vested interest in getting you to buy more books 😉
First off – and this is the big one – **your kid’s brain literally lights up differently** when they hear YOU reading versus reading alone. True story. Scientists have done brain scans and everything. When mom or dad reads, kids’ brains show more activity in the areas that process emotions and visual imagery.
Why? Because your voice adds layers. You do the grumpy troll voice. You pause at the scary parts. You speed up during the chase scene. All that stuff? It’s teaching them how stories FEEL.
## **Building Super Readers (Without Them Even Knowing)**
Here’s what blows my mind every time:
• Kids can understand books read to them that are 2-3 years above their own reading level
• They pick up vocabulary like little sponges – way more than from regular conversation
• Their attention spans actually get longer (and lord knows we need help with that in the TikTok age)
I remember this one mom told me her 4-year-old used the word “befuddled” at preschool. The teacher was like… what?? Turns out it was from one of my books they’d been reading together. Kid just absorbed it and BAM – using it perfectly in context.
## **It’s Not Just About the Words**
Okay so this is where I’m gonna get a bit mushy on you.
Those moments snuggled up with a book? Your kid’s gonna remember those. Not the words maybe. But the feeling. The safety. The connection.
My daughter’s 16 now (heaven help me) and she STILL talks about how we used to read the Harry Potter books together. We’d do one chapter every night. Sometimes two if she begged enough. Those are some of my favorite memories as a dad.
And get this – studies show that kids who get read to regularly:
– Have stronger relationships with their parents
– Are better at regulating emotions
– Show more empathy
Basically, you’re not just raising a reader. You’re raising a human who gets other humans.
## **”But Bryce, My Kid Won’t Sit Still!”**
Ha! You think I don’t hear this all the time?
Listen, if your kid’s bouncing off the walls while you read, that’s FINE. Some kids need to move to focus. Let em build with blocks while you read. Or color. Or do somersaults for all I care.
The point is they’re hearing the story. They’re hearing YOUR voice telling the story. That’s what matters.
## **Real Quick – Some Tips That Actually Work**
**Pick books YOU like too.** If you’re bored out of your mind reading it… trust me, it shows. Find stuff that makes you laugh or has gorgeous art you actually want to look at.
**Don’t stress about finishing.** Sometimes my kids would want to stop and talk about one picture for 10 minutes. Cool! That’s still reading time.
**Different voices aren’t required.** You don’t have to be Morgan Freeman. Just… be you. Add some enthusiasm. That’s enough.
**Let them pick sometimes.** Yes even if it means reading that same truck book for the 47th time this week.
## **Here’s My Challenge to You**
Try it for one week. Just one week of reading aloud for 15 minutes before bed. That’s it.
I’m betting you’ll see changes. Maybe your kid starts using new words. Maybe bedtime gets easier (no promises though!). Maybe you just… enjoy it.
And hey, if you need some new books to try out – well, you know where to find some good ones 😊 The folks here at Playful Platypus have got you covered with stories that are actually fun to read out loud. Trust me, I’ve written enough of em to know the difference!
But honestly? Any book works. Library books. Hand-me-downs. That board book with half the pages missing.
Just read. Out loud. Together.
Your kid’s brain (and heart) will thank you.
-Bryce
P.S. – And when they’re teenagers and barely talk to you? At least you’ll have those memories of when they thought you did the BEST dragon voice. Hold onto that. You’re gonna need it during the eye-rolling years.
