The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

by Sarah Mackenzie

Ahhh, 8–12s. I admit, this is my favorite read-aloud age of all. The books written for this age group are simply fantastic—some of the best books you’ll ever read! In addition, children this age tend to have a lengthier attention span and, especially if they’re doing something with their hands while you read aloud (like drawing or watercolor painting), they can listen for quite a long time. The most important thing to keep in mind when reading with 8–12s is simply that you must continue to read aloud, even as your child becomes a proficient reader himself. As noted in the previous chapter, the increased vocabulary and academic benefits of reading aloud continue to hold true through this age group. You can easily read aloud above your child’s independent reading level, since your 8-to-12-year-old will have a higher listening comprehension level than reading comprehension level.