Reading Aloud Is Not Just for Books
I’m hearing from some of you that your kids don’t like stories read aloud to them.
Try reading aloud:
- billboards on your drive to Target
- the recipe instructions while you’re baking muffins
- a field guide for birds while you look for them at a bird feeder
You might also invite MOVIES to do the reading aloud! Turning on subtitles (even for an English-language film) has a heap of benefits!
And how about this: Read your child’s WRITING aloud back to your child with real pleasure and delight! Catch your child in the act of self expression, jot it down, and later that evening read it aloud to the family. See how that goes!
Reading aloud can grow as a happy habit even if your kids aren’t quite ready for novels.
Two Tips for Sharing Stories
If you want to share novels with kids who say they don’t like them read aloud, here are two suggestions. You might:
- read the book during breakfast (captive audience with full, non-complaining mouths)
- play audiobooks in the car (captive audience belted in)
Do not require kids to like the book or to tell you how they feel. Be matter of fact and simply offer reading aloud rather than insisting on it.
This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!
