What is the primary advantage of having children fill in rhyming words during a story reading?

The primary advantage of having children fill in rhyming words during story reading lies in the promotion of accurate listening skills, which are foundational for literacy development. When children engage in this activity, they must pay close attention to the rhythm, sounds, and patterns of the language being used. This focus on phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes—significantly contributes to their reading skills.

As they listen for the rhyming words, children practice distinguishing between different sounds, which helps them develop the critical skills needed for decoding and spelling later on. This active participation not only fosters a better understanding of the text but also reinforces their ability to process spoken language, a key component of becoming proficient readers.

The other options do involve valuable skills but do not directly connect to the core objective of enhancing listening for rhyming during reading. For instance, while communicating effectively is crucial, it stems from a broader range of skills beyond the specific task of recognizing rhymes. Visualizing the story can enhance comprehension, yet it does not specifically target listening skills. Additionally, while memorization has its benefits, the goal here is not to have children memorize stories but to improve their auditory processing, which is essential for literacy success.