Benefits of Audiobooks #2: Expanded Vocabulary

This benefit of listening to audiobooks seems obvious, doesn’t it? It stands to reason that if you listen to an audiobook, you’re bound to pick up some words or phrases you didn’t know, understand, or use before. So, “Why the blog post about it, Captain Obvious?” you might ask. The answer is pretty straight forward: things aren’t always what they appear to be.

Expanded vocabulary is a good thing, right? You want your children to be able to communicate intelligently, using an expansive vocabulary that demonstrates a depth of understanding and a broad education. The ability to communicate well works like a key that opens doors to possibilities previously unknown. Placing good audiobooks in their hands is one way parents can equip their children for such opportunity. And therein lies the rub.

Notice I said good.  I’m not here to convince you my idea of good should be your idea of good. However there are some principles we can employ to maximize the benefit of audiobooks for our children. I don’t think many would argue with the idea: garbage in, garbage out.
In the coarsening of our culture over the years, books have not been left out. The language and the themes of young adult literature have often served to rob youth of their innocence, substituting sophistication for maturity. We, as caretakers of our youth, must seek out content which would benefit them; not tear them down.

Reading is a good thing, but not all books are worth being read. Reading still must be monitored. With younger children the content itself must be monitored in order to protect them.
As children grow older, parents, teachers, and caretakers have the responsibility to discuss challenging ideas, being careful to teach them how to process information that doesn’t line up with one’s values. In this way children are molded into capable and responsible thinkers, able to reject those themes or ideas with which they don’t agree.

Too often as a teacher I heard parents tell me, “at least they’re reading.” No! That’s not the answer! Find good literature, not those filled with the “grit of real life.” Reading should lift them to higher ideas. Ask a librarian, search the internet for reviews from respected sources, not just bookcreature137.

Be on the lookout for a good mix of fiction and non-fiction. Look for stories that teach about human character, warts and all. Look for stories which focus on triumph, not trouble.

If your child listens to those stories, his heart will be strengthened. His heart will be expanded by powerful stories of overcoming obstacles and true self-esteem. And you will hear a change in the way he speaks. Audiobooks have the power to change lives, for good or bad. Choose wisely, and you will reap the benefits long after you hit “play”.

On His Adventure~
Trey