Today, March 19th, marks International Read to Me Day—a global celebration that champions the simple yet profound act of reading aloud to others. This special day regardless of age, is about hearing a story told in someone else’s voice.
Reading aloud builds bridges. Whether it’s a parent reading a bedtime story to a child, a teacher bringing a book to life for their students, or friends sharing favorite passages with each other, these moments create lasting bonds. The shared experience of a story creates a unique intimacy.
For children, being read to is more than entertainment—it’s foundational to their development. Research consistently shows that children who are regularly read to develop stronger language skills, better comprehension, and a lifelong love of reading. But the benefits extend beyond literacy. Those moments cuddled up with a book create emotional security and open doorways to conversations about complex topics in safe, age-appropriate ways.
But Read to Me Day isn’t just for kids. Adults benefit tremendously from being read to as well. Audiobooks have exploded in popularity because they tap into that primal pleasure of storytelling that’s been with us since we gathered around fires in caves. Being read to allows us to multitask, rest our eyes, and experience stories in new ways through the reader’s interpretation.
This day also highlights reading as an act of care. Reading to hospital patients, elderly community members, or people with visual impairments offers connection and mental stimulation. The simple gift of your voice and time can be transformative for someone who can’t access written words themselves.
So how might you celebrate Read to Me Day?
Perhaps dust off a favorite book and read it aloud to someone you love. Join a local library’s reading hour. Record a story for a distant friend or family member. Or simply ask someone to read something to you—a poem, a news article, or a chapter from their current read.
Read to Me Day invites us to slow down and savor words together reminding us that sharing stories isn’t just about transferring information—it’s about creating moments of connection that remain long after the book is closed.