There is one activity that has endured the passing of time.  The reading habit continues to be the foundation of all human learning.  Fads come and go but the act of reading the written word holds the key for deep curiosity and use of our imagination.  Being able to read helps satisfy our drive to understand and enrich the human experience.  Yes, visual learning opens our senses to the wonders of our world, but the act of reading hits deep into our personal psyche.

At Oak Hill Academy, the best private school in Monmouth County, we start the love of reading early and nurture the process in all subject areas including science and math.  One practice that is low tech and which is easily implemented in all facets of learning is the practice of reading aloud in a group setting.  This method allows our eyes and ears to process a story while capturing the emotion and imagery of all the elements to create insight.          

Schools like Oak Hill Academy use this technique almost every day across the curriculum; however, research confirms that the family habit of reading aloud is a powerful vehicle to improve the reading skill of all children.  Besides good family time, reading aloud with children helps introduce advanced ideas or emotions.  Children can often hear and understand concepts at levels above what they could comprehend while reading independently. 

Here, children have conversations about what the characters in the book are doing and experiencing.  What better way to enhance family time than by sharing stories that help create family values, traditions, and inside jokes that last a lifetime.  This is a win-win and fun for all, while broadening our kids horizons in sometimes a very overwhelming and digitally driven world.