So many great tips in here, Sarah. We switched up our read-aloud time today and opted for non-fiction in the morning! It was glorious and we were all EARLY out the door.
We've got a bit of a Read Aloud question and that is constant interruptions. My almost 3 year old LOVES reading aloud, it's all he wants to do, but a single book can take 20-30 min as he asks "What's that?" "What does the giraffe eat?" "Where is he going?" "Can I pet him?" "Does he poop?" for every single image on every single page. It shows a lot of great development but bedtime has stretched from 30 min to 90 min and the story gets lost and confusing, even for simple books like Goodnight Moon. I don't want to ignore his questions but I also want to encourage listening and teach how to follow a story. Any ideas? Has anyone else dealt with this issue before?
At that age, that's completely normal -- and I also understand how disruptive and frustrating it can be. You could try telling him that you're going to read the whole book through without interruptions, but then you two can talk it over at the end, and he can ask his questions then. ("Let's read this story together quietly, and then you can ask me whatever you want.") And/or, if it's possible, find another time during the day to read to him, where he is allowed to interrupt and ask as many questions as he wants. Sometimes with my own kids, I simply say, "Okay, shhh, let's listen and see what happens next."
A terrific list! The only thing I’d add is to let your children read to you, as soon as they are able. Let them “read” you their scribbles and pictures; let them “read” (retell) stories using the pictures, let them haltingly read their Bob books or early readers to you. If there are books they love and you don’t, let them read you those books while you cook or on a drive.
I had an hour long commute when my daughter was growing up, and she read to me two hours a day. It improved her reading skills, gave us lots to talk about, and made the commute something we looked forward to rather than dreaded.
On the poetry front- my almost 8 yo loved Kate Baer poems- a lot of her poems are about motherhood and bodies and everything that interests me but he’s very into it so also don’t assume your kid won’t like what you’re reading! He also very much enjoyed the first half of Phoebe Wahl’s Phoebe’s Diary but stopped when there was “too much kissing.” I read a lot when my kids are watching tv in the afternoon and they seem to enjoy when I read them a good passage from my books too! We are still big bedtime readers but we bring books to practices for the other sibling too and my oldest likes to read in the car. He has a lot of car books that just stay in there because he likes to reread favorite parts. And I put the boundary on Dogman when he could read- I said I would read 2 chapters and he could read the rest to himself!
I am so happy he loves reading AND happy my 5 yo prefers Ricky Ricotta. And he has gotten wise enough to ask his brother to read Dogman to him because they know how I feel!
Incredible advice, as always. We owe all poetry that is read in this house to you (and we actually love it) and your rule about not reading books you hate is priceless. Thank you!
Love this list. And all credit to you for getting my kids interested in poetry.
That makes me so, so happy.
So many great tips in here, Sarah. We switched up our read-aloud time today and opted for non-fiction in the morning! It was glorious and we were all EARLY out the door.
Yay to staying flexible and changing things as needed and, most of all, doing what's best for YOUR family! I love to hear this.
What a great list! I definitely need to slow down, especially at bedtime 🫣
This is a great list, thank you!
We've got a bit of a Read Aloud question and that is constant interruptions. My almost 3 year old LOVES reading aloud, it's all he wants to do, but a single book can take 20-30 min as he asks "What's that?" "What does the giraffe eat?" "Where is he going?" "Can I pet him?" "Does he poop?" for every single image on every single page. It shows a lot of great development but bedtime has stretched from 30 min to 90 min and the story gets lost and confusing, even for simple books like Goodnight Moon. I don't want to ignore his questions but I also want to encourage listening and teach how to follow a story. Any ideas? Has anyone else dealt with this issue before?
At that age, that's completely normal -- and I also understand how disruptive and frustrating it can be. You could try telling him that you're going to read the whole book through without interruptions, but then you two can talk it over at the end, and he can ask his questions then. ("Let's read this story together quietly, and then you can ask me whatever you want.") And/or, if it's possible, find another time during the day to read to him, where he is allowed to interrupt and ask as many questions as he wants. Sometimes with my own kids, I simply say, "Okay, shhh, let's listen and see what happens next."
A terrific list! The only thing I’d add is to let your children read to you, as soon as they are able. Let them “read” you their scribbles and pictures; let them “read” (retell) stories using the pictures, let them haltingly read their Bob books or early readers to you. If there are books they love and you don’t, let them read you those books while you cook or on a drive.
I had an hour long commute when my daughter was growing up, and she read to me two hours a day. It improved her reading skills, gave us lots to talk about, and made the commute something we looked forward to rather than dreaded.
An excellent addition -- and I love the story about your daughter and your commute. Thanks for sharing!
On the poetry front- my almost 8 yo loved Kate Baer poems- a lot of her poems are about motherhood and bodies and everything that interests me but he’s very into it so also don’t assume your kid won’t like what you’re reading! He also very much enjoyed the first half of Phoebe Wahl’s Phoebe’s Diary but stopped when there was “too much kissing.” I read a lot when my kids are watching tv in the afternoon and they seem to enjoy when I read them a good passage from my books too! We are still big bedtime readers but we bring books to practices for the other sibling too and my oldest likes to read in the car. He has a lot of car books that just stay in there because he likes to reread favorite parts. And I put the boundary on Dogman when he could read- I said I would read 2 chapters and he could read the rest to himself!
Love all of this, Elizabeth! (And I think a lot of people need to put the boundaries on Dogman, for their own sanity 😂)
I am so happy he loves reading AND happy my 5 yo prefers Ricky Ricotta. And he has gotten wise enough to ask his brother to read Dogman to him because they know how I feel!
Incredible advice, as always. We owe all poetry that is read in this house to you (and we actually love it) and your rule about not reading books you hate is priceless. Thank you!
If all I ever accomplish here is introducing people to poetry, I’ll be happy forever 😊