How to Make Read Aloud Time Work

by | Mar 16, 2022 | Blog, Latest News & Posts

Are you too tired, too busy, or too distracted to make time to read aloud?

You spend all day as teacher, chef, housekeeper, peacemaker, chauffeur, you name it—

There are countless benefits to family read aloud sessions that go well beyond the educational, and these benefits outweigh all your reasons for skipping it!

WhyReadAloud
Image Source: Read Aloud 15 MINUTES

In addition to creating priceless family memories, these read aloud moments also give mom the chance to revisit her favorite childhood books or read the ones she missed the first time around.  It is also a fantastic way to wind down your household after a hectic day.

Even once your children begin reading proficiently on their own, family read aloud time still offers wonderful opportunities for the whole family to gather together and simply enjoy each other with great literature.

Need help to begin reading aloud or keep it up?

If you find that the time you designate for family reading aloud always slips by, here is a helpful hint:

Set a timer for your desired reading time. I found that 15 – 20 minutes before “lights out” is ample time to read a chapter or two. 

It wasn’t until I placed this desire in my heart that this time became a reality. Once I did, I was amazed how quickly read aloud time became our regular nightly routine. 

In fact, it was considered a harsh punishment by my kids to skip our bedtime stories! They grew to LOVE this special time, even through their teen years!

Don’t know what books to read, for each age?

Here are my all-time favorite booklists! I kept a copy of each ready in hand when I went to the library or requested books online.

Once you get familiar with favorite authors you can pick up great book bargains at the local thrift store or library book sale. My library keeps a section of used books for sale and I often find great hardcover copies of treasured family favorites.

   

Get everyone involved in read aloud time!

A wonderful tip to involve and interest every member of the family in read aloud time is to let each person take turns choosing the books.

Additionally, designate specific nights so each child may take his/her turn in reading aloud.  This gives your children an opportunity to practice reading plus it helps them to become effective public speakers.

Hearing books read aloud also fosters better writing skills.  According to Andrew Pudewa of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to become a better writer, you need to draw upon the foundations of the patterns within language.

What better way to strengthen that foundation than by reading aloud, where the nuances and characteristics of language come alive. Reading aloud forces the reader to slow the pace and really process the information, processing the whole picture.

Once children accomplish reading, many tend to skim or scan through pages of a book as they read silently.  They miss so much, but if they read aloud, the content is displayed as complete rather than choppy fragments. 

For example, our older boys were really struggling with reading Shakespeare’s plays. This is until they decided to read it aloud to one another.  They were astonished at how quickly and clearly they could grasp the concepts and summarize the content simply by hearing it out loud!

And that goes for just about any really good story!

You understand language patterns, dialogue, plot points and characterizations best when you read aloud, as you force yourself to speak every single word the author wrote, in the sequence they wrote it!

By reading aloud you teach your kids the beginning steps of reading with a deeper understanding!

What are your favorite read aloud time books? Share them in the comments below!

Previous Post: Homeschool Reading Plan for Lent

Get updates for the next post!

3 Comments

  1. Mauricia

    Thank you Paola for the lead this rich article. I have purposed to read aloud daily going forward.

    Reply
  2. Joan Paul

    Another great resource is Sarah Mackenzie’s Read Aloud Revival podcast. She’s a Catholic Homeschool mom who promotes reading aloud to our kids of all ages. She has also written two great books— Teaching from Rest and The Read Aloud Family. She also has tons of great booklists and recommendations, including newer books and authors that will not be in the resources you listed. .

    Reply
    • Paola

      Thanks Joan! Yes, Sarah does such a great service to families with her Read Aloud Revival.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Ready to Thrive in Your Homeschool

4 simple steps to create your best year! 25+ years of homeschool experience compressed into 1 simple guide. Written by Paola Ciskanik

2023 Virtual Catholic Homeschool Conference

2023 Virtual Catholic Homeschool Conference

Get Ready for the 2023 Catholic Homeschool Conference, hosted by our friends at Homeschool Connections. It is happening June 9th and 10th, 2023. Woo-hoo!!! To get all the juicy details..... I put together a 2023 Virtual Conference Guide book which has all the details...

Our Family’s One Heart for the Sacred Heart

Our Family’s One Heart for the Sacred Heart

Catholic Homeschool Online · Blog One Heart For The Sacred Heart AUDIO Did you know that June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? Traditionally, the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart as the feast day falls within the month. The history of...

Teach Multi-ages Family Style

Teach Multi-ages Family Style

 Catholic Homeschool Online · BLOG Teach Multi - Ages Family Style AUDIO When it comes to homeschooling multi-ages, life can get super busy, super FAST! I keenly remember having all seven of my children in one year, K through 11th grade! Whoosh!! Many of the...

How Homeschooling Builds Catholic Culture

How Homeschooling Builds Catholic Culture

Catholic Homeschool Online · BLOG How Homeschooling Builds Catholic Culture AUDIO It all begins with an invitation... Here is my Catholic culture story…yes, when my husband I began dating over 35 years ago, he invited me to go to Mass with him one Sunday. I had not...

5 Tips to Get the Most From a Virtual Homeschool Conference

5 Tips to Get the Most From a Virtual Homeschool Conference

Catholic Homeschool Online · BLOG: How to get the MOST out of Conferences AUDIO Have you been to any virtual conferences? I have been able to attend several inspiring conferences recently, because I can do so without ever leaving my home, paying for a hotel, or gas....

How to Begin Homeschooling

How to Begin Homeschooling

 Catholic Homeschool Online · BLOG: How To Begin Homeschooling AUDIO As an educating mom for over 25 years, I have the unique position of being both parent and teacher, simultaneously. This affords me with the privileged position of knowing my children as life-long...

Best Mother to Guide Your Family

Best Mother to Guide Your Family

 Catholic Homeschool Online · BLOG Best Mother To Guide Your Family AUDIO Ever since my kids were little, they knew who was the "Best Mom in the World".... Mary, the Blessed Mother.   This comes so clearly to their little hearts and I certainly was okay with coming...

The Good News the Homeschool Way

The Good News the Homeschool Way

 Catholic Homeschool Online · Blog The Good News The Homeschool Way AUDIO The other day I heard a knock on the door, who was it? Jehovah Witnesses. Now I will be honest, in the beginning of my homeschool journey, all too often, I shied away from any encounters to...

Holy Week in Your Homeschool

Holy Week in Your Homeschool

Catholic Homeschool Online · BLOG: Holy Week in Your Homeschool AUDIO It's coming! That most sacred of weeks in the liturgical year, Holy Week! When the kids were little, I was much more on top of the liturgical colors and the upcoming liturgical seasons. Why? Well,...

Art in Your Homeschool

Art in Your Homeschool

Catholic Homeschool Online · Blog; Art In Your Homeschool AUDIO I wrote a blog article about Beauty in the lives of our children. Developing an eye for beauty helps to foster a love of beauty and in turn, the ability to recognize the author of beauty, Jesus Christ. ...

St. Patrick’s Day Family Style

St. Patrick’s Day Family Style

St. Patrick was amazing, he was all about prayer! I became overwhelmed at the sheer number of prayers attributed to this holy man, not only ones he wrote, but also many that were inspired by him.