RAR #111: When You’re Constantly Interrupted During Read-Alouds
Do your kids ever interrupt during read-aloud time? No? Just mine? 😉
Today we’re talking all about how to handle interruptions–whether they’re coming from the phone, the doorbell, the 2-year-old, or the chatty middle schooler.
We’ll consider what’s really causing those interruptions in the first place, as well as how to set ourselves up for success. We’re breaking it all down and sharing solutions on this newest episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- why interruptions are not a sign you’re doing things wrong
- ideas for dealing with interruptions from newborns through teens
- what to do if read-aloud time doesn’t look how you think it should
Click the play button below:
Listener Guide
Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:
- 1:24 It doesn’t have to look perfect
- 4:20 Wasn’t this supposed to be easy?
- 6:38 You’re not doing it wrong
- 9:00 How to set yourself up for success
- 10:23 Something to do …
- 13:01 Keep it short and use audiobooks
- 15:33 Tips for older kids
- 16:40 WHY are your kids interrupting?
- 19:05 Books with new words or references
- 20:57 Interrupting for attention
- 21:57 Connection first!
- 24:32 Let the kids speak
How we keep our things “handy” for read-aloud time:
Links from this episode:
- RAR #73: What your kids can do while you read aloud (they’ll probably listen better than ever)
- RAR # 82: Why Fidgeting is a Good Sign (and what brain science has to say about reading aloud), Dr. Michael Gurian
- Paper trays
- See how we keep our things “handy” for read-aloud time.
Quotes to remember:
“What matters is the process of sitting down with your child and falling into a story. Remember: the most important piece of the whole thing is connection. Even if it doesn’t look exactly like you hoped, it’s an opportunity for you and your child to connect, for your kids to connect with each other, and for you all to connect with the ideas and the stories you read. That’s what makes it a win.”
“When we read aloud to our kids in spite of the fact that it looks different from our initial vision, we’re stepping out in faith. If I can tell you one thing, it is this: keep stepping out.”
“Interruptions are part of the deal. Interruptions are part of what it means to be human, to be interacting with other humans, and to be getting things done. They don’t diminish the value of the read aloud.”
Books from this episode:
(All links are affiliate links.)
One thing that had helped us is the “elbow rule.” My preschooler is reminded to come hold my elbow to signal he’d like to have my attention. I then hold his to let him know I will honor his request. It allows me to get to a more natural stop in the narration than if he just blurted out his comment or question.
I so enjoyed and appreciated all that you had to say in this podcast! Thanks for sharing all of the helpful suggestions and what read aloud times look like in your family. I also enjoyed hearing you read aloud a snippet from your own book! I think I’m going to ask for it for Christmas!
I was wondering why the photos of the storage are showing up?
Sorry about that! You should be able to see them now. Those are how we keep things at our house. I’ve also, in previous years, used the stackable desk trays, like these: https://amzn.to/2CrbNCd
Hope that helps!
I really liked the suggestion of introducing children to more complex vocabulary ahead of time, so that they’ll be less likely to interrupt during the reading time. I had a similar situation when I was reading “The Trumpet of the Swan” to my oldest. It helped that there were some simple illustrations so she knew what it looked like, but I didn’t think to look up what one sounded like on youtube. She is currently devouring whatever I have time to read to her (and she listens to audio stories in addition to that!). I typically do that when the younger ones are sleeping, although my middle one will sometimes join (as he’s transitioning out of naps) but he knows he has to be quiet – and if I give him something for his hands or allow him to move about the room, he usually is. :) For my youngest, her attention span is much shorter, but I try to read the occassional “longer” picture book so she can practice listening for longer stretches of time, and of course she’s there for one chapter of our bedtime chapter book, which we just started at the end of summer.
Of what a bugle sounded like, I meant to say! We have swans here ;)
My mom would always have “folding parties” for read-aloud time with the whole family. We would take turns reading aloud every night while everyone else folded the laundry. I have 3 younger brothers, so this was the perfect way to keep them from wrestling or making sound effects with Legos during read-aloud time. I’m so excited that my kids are finally old enough that I can start this tradition with them! Even 3 year olds can help match socks. So it keeps them busy—and you get your laundry folded!