By Jane Bassett, Tutor
Audiobooks improve children’s vocabulary
Audiobooks are brilliant for exposing young readers to new vocabulary and encouraging children to try and enjoy stories that may otherwise be too advanced and, especially in the case of older children’s literature, seem linguistically inaccessible. They can help boost the literary skills of all children at various ages and stages: they can be an aid to children who struggle with the mechanics of reading; they can help with comprehension through clear expression from the reader.
Audiobooks improve concentration
Audiobooks give children the opportunity to become absorbed in the story without the barrier of difficult text. The brilliant thing about audiobooks is that they can also help children (and adults!) who have difficulties concentrating on reading as they can listen and do something else at the same time. In in a world of shortening attention spans with different forms of media constantly vying for our attention, audiobooks can help your child to become more focused and a better listener.
Audiobooks improve confidence
Audiobooks also help your child discover stories that are beyond their current “reading age” or reading “level” The so-called “reading ages” and “levels” that are determined by schools can be restrictive. Through audiobooks, children can jump ahead into texts that might be too advanced to read but they can still enjoy the story and the characters .
Audiobooks are sociable
One of the great things about audiobooks is that you can listen to them at anytime and you can listen to them together. Reading a story becomes a social experience, like watching a film can be and many include music, special effects and celebrity narrators such as Kate Winslet or Stephen Fry. Whether in the car on a long journey, at the kitchen table or in winding the kids down for bedtime.
Audiobooks are accessible
Audiobooks can be accessed through apps such Audible and Kobo or via services such as Google Play or iTunes and Ibooks. In Gloucestershire, the libraries offer a digital borrowing service through BorrowBox. Of course there are also traditional cds or even cassettes! Your local library can be a fantastic place to find these.