Reading is one of the most powerful ways to help children develop strong language and communication skills. For children who need speech therapy, read-alongs provide an engaging way to improve reading skills for kids while building vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension.
Read-alongs work well for speech development because they target receptive language (understanding what is being said, like when a parent asks, “Do you see the bear?”), expressive language (encouraging verbal responses, such as “I see a duck! What does a duck say?”), and pre-literacy skills (teaching that books help us learn, books have words, and words have meaning). From our experience as speech-language pathologists, we’ve seen that read-alongs also increase attention and participation, two skills that are important for school readiness.
What Are Read-Alongs and How Do They Help with Speech Therapy?
Read-alongs combine reading text with audio, often paired with pictures. Think of it as a storytime buddy that helps kids hear words and follow along visually. They’re especially beneficial for children working on articulation, comprehension, and confidence in language skills.
How Speech Therapists Use Read-Alongs to Improve Reading Skills for Kids
For younger children who are just learning about books or have difficulty focusing, read-alongs are a great way to introduce structured reading activities. The combination of visuals and audio cues makes it easier for kids to stay engaged and develop early literacy skills.
For older children, we use read-alongs to strengthen reading comprehension, answering questions, and using context clues to learn the meaning of new vocabulary words—all critical components of reading skills for kids.
Best Read-Along Books for Speech and Language Development
Any book can become a read-along with a little creativity! Our team emphasizes that parents shouldn’t feel limited to specific books—the key is finding what engages your child.
We also love using wordless picture books, which encourage children to invent dialogue, experiment with storytelling, and use sound effects, making the experience even more interactive and beneficial for speech therapy.
Why Read-Alongs Work for Speech Therapy and Language Development
Read-alongs are an effective tool in speech therapy and language development for several reasons:
- Clear Speech Models – Kids hear accurate pronunciation they can mimic.
- Vocabulary Building – Stories introduce new words in meaningful ways.
- Listening Practice – Children learn to focus and follow along with audio cues.
How Read-Alongs Help with Speech Therapy Goals
In our therapy sessions, we use read-alongs to support attention and participation in structured activities. They also help children point to pictures, imitate gestures or signs, and repeat familiar words or phrases.
For younger children, read-alongs encourage imitating sound effects or animal noises, while older kids practice answering questions about what they read to strengthen comprehension and reading skills for kids.
Tips for Parents: Making Read-Alongs Part of Your Child’s Routine
Want to make read-alongs a successful part of your child’s routine? Try these strategies:
1. Pause and Discuss
Stop during the story to talk about what’s happening, repeat key words, or ask questions.
2. Act It Out
Use gestures, props, or sound effects to bring words to life and keep your child engaged.
3. Make It Routine
Incorporate read-alongs into bedtime or quiet time to create consistency.
Our Clinicians’ Advice for Parents
Any book can be a read-along if you’re creative—you don’t need to read the words exactly as written. The goal is engagement, not perfection.
To make read-alongs fun and stress-free, we recommend decreasing distractions, choosing a time of day when your child isn’t too tired, and using a high chair or booster seat so they can see you and the book clearly.
And most importantly—don’t be afraid to get silly! Fun voices, exaggerated facial expressions, and playful sound effects keep kids engaged and make learning enjoyable.
Is Your Child Struggling with Speech or Reading Skills? We Can Help!
Read-alongs are a simple, enjoyable way to support your child’s speech and language development. With the right tools and a little interaction, they can make a big difference in improving speech therapy reading skills for kids.
If your child is struggling with speech, language, or early reading skills, our team at Medical Support Services is here to help. We offer speech therapy services for children of all ages at our clinics in Oak Creek, Mount Pleasant, and Kenosha, Wisconsin.