I started to write this blog months ago. It was right after I read Sarah Mackenzie’s Read-Aloud Revival and I was ready to start a read-aloud revival in my home. Books can influence us greatly, just as they do for our kids. But here’s the thing – I realized it was not my thing. I’ve been trying to build disciple around it for a long time now and it has just not stuck for us. So, this blog has evolved from ‘“let’s do this thing” to “let it happen with no strings attached”.
Don’t get me wrong – we read plenty of books at home. I’ve been reading to my kids ever since they were little. Nighttime reading was the routine in our household because we were both working parents a few years back. We read for fun and to inculcate a love of reading. But, it was only when I started to homeschool that I came across the term read-aloud. I had no idea it was a thing – that reading aloud to kids was an intentional reading activity.
In our home, we always knew we will invest in books. I was not reading to them to build close relationships or to create memories. I wasn’t reading to build knowledge or vocabulary, either. But these things happen unintended.
Here’s what else happens unintended – I quote lines from books all the time because beloved books just make their way into your lives. For example, when my kids dabble in too many things, I say, “One at a time is the way to go.” Any guesses on which book I am quoting? That’s right – “Little Blue Truck Leads the Way.” Also, my kids will remember events they heard in books and relate them to something happening around them. Recently, we read the WUMP World by Bill Peet, and my oldest talked about how the story reflected today’s world. Children learn so much from reading books, and they develop opinions and perspectives.
We know that books have a significant impact on our children, but are they really missing out if you do not prioritize read-aloud time? Parents feel pressured to live up to the read-aloud culture that has become a part of social media. Some parents do a great job at it and enjoy the activity, while others don’t. I’m somewhere in the middle. We all feel motivated to do different things with our kids and reading aloud may just not be your thing.
Moms and Dads, I do not have a read-aloud plan. I do not carefully handpick books to read to my kids, and I do not force a time slot in the day to squeeze in these non-existing books.
But I do love good books, and I would like my kids to devour them. I also want my kids to receive all the benefits of an intentional read-aloud plan. But since I cannot get myself to build this into our daily life, here’s what I’ll do instead.
Invest in Books
We invest in books we love. I find them on Amazon and buy them when someone recommends them; I find them in the library, and I learn about them from curricula. Every time I buy a new book, my kids will pick them up and ask me to read it. Self-readers will read the books on their own. My oldest does that. She will be the first to read a new book in the house. Either way, you organically spent unintentional read-aloud time and these are the best because there is no pressure to do it or remorse if not done.
Invest in Reading Apps
I invest in reading apps. I have a subscription to Epic. It is a children’s reading app and has a variety of books. They also have a lot of read-to-me books, which means I do not have to read to them. This is perfect for your preschooler, kindergartner, or even elementary kid. Other apps we use are Khan Academy Kids (free), ABC Mouse, and Amazon Kids+(a recent purchase). My kids love them and if you are trying to balance screen time at home, this is a nice way to offer invaluable time in front of a screen. Looking for other useful screen time activities? Try YouTube. There are so many books that have been read aloud and recorded for parents like us. The next time your kid says he or she is bored, tell them to listen to a story on YouTube.
Narrate a story
Did you know you can narrate a story without a book? That’s right. Sometimes when I need to put the kids to bed and my little one asks for a book, I’ll tell him a story instead. How hard is it to recount the story of the three pigs or the story of jack and the beanstalk? Don’t worry if you do not remember the details, just make them up as you go.
Play Car Games
Here’s another game I play occasionally in the car with my kids. We create our own stories. I will start with a brief introduction to a made-up tale, and then we take turns to build up the story with one sentence each. This is a really fun way to add in some storytime, introduce unfamiliar ideas or even words along the way, exercise their creative minds, and bond over non-existent characters.
BOTTOM LINE – DO YOU
The bottom line is – do not feel pressured to prioritize something just because everybody is doing it. Reading is good for kids and we all know that. But we can do it in our own way and in our own time. Let the activity of reading aloud happen organically and find other ways to bond, and build memories and lasting relationships.
