Episode 6: Mealtime Soup – The Magic of Reading Aloud

Reading aloud is like a superfood for the brain—boosting language skills, strengthening relationships, and even counteracting screen-time distractions! In this episode of P Soup, I dive into the science and magic behind reading aloud, sharing how it supports language development, emotional growth, and deepens the bond between you and your child.

You'll hear:

📚 The 5 key benefits of reading aloud (including brain science & empathy-building!)

📖 Tips for making reading a stress-free, joyful part of your daily routine

📕 My favorite book recommendations for different ages & interests

Resources Mentioned:

📖 The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction – Meghan Cox Gurdon

📄 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement (Nov 2024): Literacy Promotion as an Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice

Book Recommendations from This Episode:

✨ Interactive Books:

• Press Here – Hervé Tullet
• High Five Animals – Sandra Boynton
• Peek-a-Who – Nina Laden

😂 Silly Stories:

• Clip Clop – Nicola Smee
• Bedtime for Chickies – Janee Trasler

📚 Longer Stories:

• Elephant & Piggie series – Mo Willems
• We Don’t Eat Our Classmates – Ryan T. Higgins

❤️ Forever Classics:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? – Eric Carle
• Fox in Socks, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish – Dr. Seuss

💬 What I'm Reading Aloud Now:

• The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (with my nephew)
• Blink – Malcolm Gladwell (with my wife)

Whether you already read with your child or need a little motivation to start, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help you make the most of storytime.

🎧 Listen now and let’s make reading aloud a cherished part of your family’s daily life!