World Read Aloud Day 2024: This year’s World Read Aloud Day is on February 7, which falls on the first Wednesday of the month. This day honors the craft and practice of reading aloud, as well as reading. Even before the invention of writing, stories were passed down from generation to generation. The first methods of preserving human knowledge, wisdom, and creativity were oral storytelling traditions. This day encourages literacy and helps us revive our reading heritage.
World Read-Aloud Day History
A nonprofit dedicated to literacy specifically works in the field of education. Its name is LitWorld. “Strengthening kids and communities through the power of stories” is their stated aim. It has been demonstrated that reading aloud to children and their caregivers helps them spell better since they hear the words pronounced correctly. In situations where listeners can identify with the story’s characters, it also strengthens social bonds and empathy. The day aims to accomplish this.
The first World Read Aloud Day was established in 2010 to promote varied voices and narratives globally. With numerous celebrity endorsements and a track record of trending on Twitter, this movement has now truly gone global. The day honors “the joy and power of reading and sharing stories” as well as “expanding the definition and scope of global literacy,” according to their website. The good news is that there has never been more literacy in the world. Between the ages of 15 and 24, the youth literacy rate rose from 87,286 in 2010 to 90,537 in 2019. Globally, adult literacy rates are rising at a similar rate.
Nonetheless, there are still big disparities in literacy rates across the globe. In 2016, Chad had a female youth literacy rate of only 22%. As late as 2018, a few other sub-Saharan African nations, including Niger, Mali, and the Central African Republic, had rates below 50%. One project that aims to overcome these disparities is World Read Aloud Day.
How to Observe World Read Aloud Day
Read out loud
This is a wonderful chance to read your child’s favorite book aloud in turns. Giving the story’s protagonists more personality through speech enhances the experience. You might just retell the stories you may have heard from your parents and grandparents if you already do that and would like to try something different.
A popular tweet in February 2020 was #WorldReadAloudDay.
In addition to the kids, families, and educational institutions taking part in the global literacy campaign, celebrities like Chelsea Clinton and Sarah Jessica Parker have also tweeted the hashtag in support of literacy. Now is a fantastic time to get involved and spread the word about this significant movement.
Take a listen to an audiobook
An excellent substitute for reading if you enjoy it but never have the time is to listen to an audiobook. You could even be inspired to tell the story to someone else if you find it to be sufficiently engaging. Another way to encourage a child or friend to appreciate reading is to give them an audiobook or subscription.
Take Your Child to the Library Day 2024: History, Activities and 5 Reading Facts
World Read Aloud Day: 5 Facts
- At the moment, 173 nations take part in World Read Aloud Day.
- South Asia is the region with the lowest literacy rates, followed by Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Since 1950, the global literacy rate has increased by 5% every decade, according to UNESCO.
- In 1656, clergyman John Cotton published “Spiritual Milk for Boston Babes,” the first children’s book to appear in the country.
- When Audible was still a separate business in 1997, subscribers could download books and other audio for up to two hours.
Why It’s Important To Read Aloud
It helps children become better individuals.
Studies have demonstrated that reading fiction to children and adults enhances their compassion. It exposes us to a variety of viewpoints and thoughts that differ from our own. Reading books that are representative of our culture and situation also provides us with the chance to feel better about ourselves.
It’s a bonding activity.
Telling stories to kids is one of the most common strategies to strengthen your bond. If you haven’t already, this is a terrific day to interact with people in your neighborhood and with your kids by reading aloud to them.
It’s a worthwhile cause.
Globally, there are significant differences in literacy rates between nations and genders. Encouraging access to and the caliber of education in impoverished communities is still a distant goal. This day contributes to the awareness-building for this worthy cause.
WORLD READ ALOUD DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | February 2 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | February 1 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | February 7 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | February 5 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | February 4 | Wednesday |
