Should I limit the audio books?

[BarbaraVineFan]

My DD (6) is a pretty fluent reader. She is on the orange book band at school but I’d say she could definitely move up with no problem, as she can read chapter books at home such as My Naughty Little Sister etc. However, she only occasionally chooses to read for pleasure- perhaps once or twice a week.

She has had a Yoto player for a couple of years and literally listens to it every day. Since Christmas she has moved on from the more simple stories she had before and is now happily listening to the Famous Five, Roald Dahl etc. She listens while she is playing or colouring, and also at bedtime, and is able to explain the nuances of the stories well.

My question is, should I limit her listening and encourage her to read instead? There isn’t a problem with her reading at all, but I’m wondering if I should try to get her into the habit of reading more, or if it’s fine for her to listen instead given that she can read well?

I wouldn’t interfere at all.

Interesting dilemma. It’s great that’s she’s listening to stories so often and enjoying them but I can see why you think it won’t help her reading skills.

I would probably make certain times specifically for reading - such as bedtime or 15 mins after school. And then the audiobooks as she wants for the rest of the time.

She is still getting the benefits of exposure to language, and developing her comprehension. It is still a 'beneficial' activity, much better than many things she could be doing on a tablet or phone.

Perhaps you could increase her reading by reading similar stories to her at bedtime - she will then probably be silently reading along. You could share reading doing this too, either alternating pages or she reads a couple then you take over so she can relax and just enjoy the story.

I did a bit of research on this recently as I have a two year old who wants hers on all the time. All the articles I read said that audio books activate the same parts of the brain as reading so I’m going to just let her listen when she wants to and make sure we’re still reading a lot.

She may be an auditory learner. I am. I love radio more than TV. Loved to doodle while teachers talked so l could follow easily. Loved to read stuff l was learning for exams out loud so it could enter on my ear. Then l could hear it again during the exam. And l love audio books . I think she is doing great. It will help her imagination and her concentration plus her language skills.

Thanks for replies so far. We do read after school every day, but just her school book. Then at bedtime I do read to her of course, and occasionally share the reading.

I think it's lovely to listen to a story. My DC also love their Yoto. I'd let her carry on.

My DC loved audiobooks especially for going to sleep. 16yo DD will still listen to eg Winnie the Pooh if she is feeling under the weather. Dyslexic DS aged 12yo was obsessed with audio books until iPhone arrived. We are sad about that. He will listen to podcasts about his interests and still loves bedtime stories. Amazing vocab and imagination, hope he rediscovers independent reading/listening soon. But to answer your question I think they are both as good as each other for different times and needs. Sometimes later books in series are unavailable as audiobooks which might move her to read the paper versions.

Children learn a lot just from listening and it’s not as tiring as physical reading. If you try to force more reading in, you run the risk of her losing interest and being overtired. She’s six, just let her enjoy listening to books. She’s doesn’t need additional homework at that age.

School books are also usually given depending upon the phonics the class are learning, rather than the ability to read.

I think if her reading levels are where they should be, then I wouldn't worry. Not everyone likes reading.

My 21 year old averages 2 books per year, he's never liked reading but loves listening to stories. Yoto players weren't a thing when he was small, so I used to read to him a lot. He listens to audiobooks now.

I'm a massive book worm, so it does make me sad that he doesnt enjoy it. But that's my issue. He was very slow to "grt" reading though. He certainly wasn't reading fluently at 6.

My daughter listens to audiobooks a lot - and reads a lot as well (she's 13). I think showing younger kids how fun books and reading can be is super important so I would encourage as much listening to books as possible - alongside some reading together at the end of the day (maybe reading one of the books she already knows as she will have an easier time trying to read it)

We love a good audiobook, and even as teens and tweens My dc will still listen to Harry Potter before bed.

Ds had struggled with reading until the age of 7 when it clicked, but still had an advanced vocabulary. He was assessed on entry to senior school as reading at the level of 16 years 11 months. So he jumped 10 years in just 4!

I believe it really helped that he was still developing his language skills and comprehension through audiobooks.He wasn't excluded from using his imagination or the power of written words by his lack of ability.

(Just to note, he had daily reading at home, extra support in school, umpteen different interventions over 3 years, then one day it just clicked)

So anecdotal, but all 3 of mine are avid readers now.

I listen to a lot of audio books, as i can do other things at the same time. They have just replaced the radio. She will be learning to love stories and plenty of comprehension and new words. I found bedtime reading a page each worked great with ds1.

No no no - why take away something that brings so much pleasure and exposure to literature????

let her have as many audio books as she likes.

also kept reading with her and encouraging her to read to you / to herself.

I have 2 severely dyslexic children and they found the act of reading soooo hard. - but the exposure to stories and literature via audiobooks was invaluable to them.

I always react them as know how hard they found it - but using technology too meant they could access so much more that couldn’t easily access but which enriched them sooo much .

I think it’s fine to let her listen to her audiobook as much as she likes, it will be hugely beneficial to her. Continuing reading actual books will also help though, especially with her punctuation and fluency. A good balance would be great.

I wouldn’t discourage the audiobooks, but I would think about tempting her to read a bit more alongside - National Literacy Trust has research on audio books being beneficial for reading and tips for parents on how to use them, which might be worth checking out.

I do love My Naughty Little Sister, but it is quite an old text now so it might not be easy reading for her. It might be worth widening her range of texts to see if a more modern or a different type of text can tempt her to read a bit more eg by letting her choose at a library, introducing comics or trying graphic novels (which are very popular). My DC liked fact books at that age, especially the 100 Fact series. If you have a Little Library near you, that might be fun to visit. We used to visit a charity bookshop regularly for my DC to buy their own books (we acquired a lot of Beano annuals). It’s also worth thinking about how often she sees you & other family members modelling reading as that might encourage her too. I also read at bedtime with my DC - one thing I remember doing is making them read what the different characters said in an appropriate voice, which can be quite fun as long as it doesn’t spoil the suspense of the story.

Ds has a yoto he loves and uses daily, but he also reads voraciously. I've started saying to him if he wants the card he reads the book first, he's 7 and just asked to watch the first harry potter (I'm not a huge fan of the bins but they are for children) same deal, book first, he's in chapter 9 of the philosopher's stone having bought it with his pocket money.
He enjoys this though because he loves to read, so it's not going to put him off. I have to sweep his room for stashed torches and find him sitting on the toilet after bedtime with a book. I think if her reading is fine for her age the yoto encourages a love of stories, will help vocabulary and her imagination. I also think they are miles better than a screen.
Have you tried get with magazines/comics? DS enjoys the phoenix and the week junior. Reading doesn't just have to be chapter books.

We do the same as you. School reading book every day and I read to her at bedtime then she often listens to audio chapter books while she chills out and plays in her room for a bit before sleeping. She’s a capable reader but doesn’t yet sit and read much independently (age 7). I think she is getting all the language experience needed though and am happy that she loves to play imaginary games still which she chooses over reading at the moment.