Audiobooks and subscription services are becoming increasingly popular in many parts of the world. As specified by National Literacy Trust, 25.4% children and young people are listening to audiobooks. Parents see benefits in having their children listen to books, and useful in helping children too.

Here are the benefits:

  • Almost a half (49%) of parents feel audiobooks increase their children’s love of reading.
  • Teachers agreed that audiobook listening can encourage reading.
  • Comments from children and young people that listening to audiobooks can help them relax and ease anxiety.
  • Many children and young people discussed listening as a form of connection and/or shared activity with family and friends.
  • Keep kids happy during long car rides and expanding their vocabulary.
  • Help children with the process of identifying words by modeling fluent reading and help motivate new or struggling readers by trying them of how fun reading can be.

 

AUDIOBOOK ROUTINES

One study conducted interviews that user listens to audiobooks for a considerable amount of time every day, during work or school day, with more audiobook use conducted during daytime on weekdays, but also at bedtime. The analysis of the interview highlights audiobook reading practices have become part of users' everyday routines, and listening is linked with other daily activities. For young people, audiobooks are combined with commutes, schoolwork, chores, exercise, and leisure activities.

Most prevalent audiobook practices:

  • morning routines
  • commuting routines
  • school routines
  • after school routines
  • bedtime routines

 

SOUND READING

Audiobooks simultaneously follow traditions of reading aloud, reading by listening is becoming a prevalent alternative to reading by seeing.

 

APP FEATURES

Audiobook apps play a significant role in contemporary audiobook practices. The apps have some features to make reading practices easier, used for adjusting time such as changing the speed of the audiobook, a sleep timer or rewinding the audiobook when the user lost attention in listening.

Providing the perfect supplement to help children and adults alike to fall asleep, audiobooks are becoming more popular. They are a great alternative to staying on screens and help create sense of calmness before bedtime.

List of great audiobooks for children according to Common Sense Media:

  1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Fantasy)
  2. Ivy + Bean, Book 1 by Annie Barrows (For Beginning Readers)
  3. Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne (Science Fiction and Fantasy)
  4. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (Fantasy)
  5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Harry Potter, Book 1 by J. K. Rowling (Fantasy)
  6. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1 by C.S. Lewis (Fantasy)
  7. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Fantasy, Children’s Novel)
  8. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (Novel, Fantasy)
  9. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Suspense, Fantasy)
  10. The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1 by Philip Pullman (Fantasy)

These are audiobooks that kids and parents can enjoy together. Have earbuds or headphones on for a great listening experience! Checkout for excellent audio versions and some read by the authors themselves.