Lately my family has been reading about global warming because we’re working on a big project to become more environmentally friendly. We’ve been watching documentaries, having discussions and brainstorm sessions, and reading stacks of books.
My kids are accustomed to reading books; we have several scheduled reading times in our home. It’s good for kids to have designated reading times—both read-aloud time and silent reading time. Research shows that reading aloud to kids not only builds their independent reading skills but also helps foster a love of reading in children. (Silent reading time does the same—plus reinforces the joy and importance of reading if a parent participates, too.)
Read-Aloud time is a great bonding time; sometimes, when you feel yourself out of step with your family, all you have to do is pick up a book and read it aloud.
It might look differently than you expect. In fact, here’s what it might look like when you sit down with your kids to read.
1. He’s standing on his head.
My sons love this little trick, and they will pull it out often. Don’t worry—they’re still listening. My sons have repeated word-for-word what I’ve read while they’re standing on their heads. It’s astonishing, given how much blood must be pooling in their brains. I wouldn’t be able to think straight if that were me. Not that I’d ever be able to get into a headstand position anymore.
2. He will open his own book and read and listen at the same time.
We have a strict policy in our house that if Mama or Daddy is doing the read-aloud time no one else has a book open. But every now and then our twelve-year-old will open a book and matter-of-factly tell us he’s listening in his subconscious. I beg to differ. This never flies.
3. He will have a million questions.
It never fails—as soon as I start my Read-Aloud time, my kids will have questions. Sometimes these questions are about the book itself, sometimes they’re, “May I please get a quick drink?” “What is 642 times 493?” (As if I even know the answer to that), or “What’s for dinner tomorrow night?” Kids have random brains. Sometimes they can’t help the questions that slip out unexpectedly.
4. He will want to control the pages.
Husband does the picture book reading most nights (because research also shows that dads reading to sons translates into love of reading more so than moms reading to sons), but sometimes he moves a little too fast for the listeners. Picture books have a lot going on in the illustrations, and oftentimes my kids will turn back a page in the middle of reading with unapologetic words: “Wait. Let me see that.”
5. He will ask for more.
Kids love stories, and they love the feeling of bonding with their parents through story. Even when you’re fully convinced there’s no way they could possibly have heard anything you said, they were listening and they want more.
And many times, you will, too—because stories are the same for everyone. They soothe, empower, repair, and impart joy.
Their shared moments become almost sacred.
(Photo by This is Now Photography.)
