RAR #73: What your kids can do while you read aloud (they’ll probably listen better than ever)
Does your read-aloud time ever devolve into chaos? Do you spend just as much time asking your kids to sit still as you do actually reading?
In this episode, I’m talking about how we can modify our expectations just a bit to make read-aloud time more successful.
Many kids listen better when they’re doing something with their hands (listen to Dr. Michael Gurian talk about that right here).
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- how to keep your kids at read-aloud time longer
- why it’s absolutely OK for kids to be “busy” during read-aloud time
- what kids of all different ages can do while you read aloud
Consider this episode your permission slip for making read-aloud moments easier on you and happier for your kids.
There’s even a FREE printable list of ideas for what all ages of kids can do during read-aloud time!
Click the play button below:
Here’s a video where I show you my magazine holders (we get to read-aloud time SO MUCH FASTER now that we use this method!):
Links from today’s show:
- Here’s where you can find simple ways to listen to audiobooks with your kids.
- These are my magazine holders (you probably want sturdier ones)
- Chunky puzzles
- Pattern blocks: foam
- Pattern blocks: wood
- Pattern block cards
- Play-Doh tools
- Washable dot markers
- Melissa and Doug big coloring pads
- Chunky crayons
- Prang watercolors
- Usborne sticker books
- Perler Beads
- Geoboards
- Pony beads
- Melissa and Doug Water Wow
- Scratch Art
- Cutting workbooks
- How to Draw books by Ralph Masiello
- Rainbow Loom
- How to finger knit (instructions)
- Paint by Sticker books
- Puzzles
- Spirographs
- Thinking Putty
- Fidget spinners
(One more bonus idea for older kids–check out these fantastic embroidery kits from CozyBlue Handmade.)
Books from this episode:
(All links are affiliate links.)
Thanks Sarah! We’ve been friends for a long time (unbeknownst to you!) and I share your wisdom lavishly with my younger mom friends ;o) We are a home-school family with 5 kids – 12, 10 & 1 yo Girls and 6 & 5 yo boys. And this year I am tutoring a 9 yo girl full time as well. SOOO read aloud is a big deal here!
A few years ago, we read a picture book called “Sam the Minute Man” and talked at length about being ready for things in under 1 minute. Now, when we are going to read aloud together, I will call out “MINUTE MAN!” and our drill is to get everyone settled with something to do in under 1 minute. Lately, it’s been great for my big girls, but the little ones have been running amuck during RA. We needed this infusion of inspiration to get things rolling again as we start Vanderbeekers next week :o)
Bless you!
Loved this episode, thank you!
If your kids love the paint by sticker books, this one is AMAZING! It’s large, beautiful, and intricate. My 7 year-old spent every spare minute he had for a week completing it. https://www.amazon.com/Animetrics-Striking-Color-Sticker-Challenge/dp/1438009917
Other ideas I just thought of are Brain Flakes & potholder loom. https://www.amazon.com/VIAHART-Interlocking-Educational-Alternative-Childrens/dp/B00N7CD4BK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1532097828&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=brain+flakes&psc=1
I’m new to homeschool and right now it is caos. I’m on chapter 18 of Teaching from Rest and just can’t figure out where you fit read alouds: is it in morning time?
I already did my Time Budget and am currently working on fitting the read aloud into it so any advice you can give me would be great!
Fabulous ideas! What kid wouldn’t LOVE read-aloud time that includes art??? I am beginning to catch your vision of creating a culture around read-aloud times, Sarah, and am inspired! Thank you for this gift!
The best crafty thing I have found for older kids is Quilling. Each project takes a while so it would probably last a lot of read alouds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wULr0mYYr8c
My kids often cork while I read. We started with this book: http://www.kidscanpress.com/products/corking and now use bigger looms that we’ve purchased at Michaels, too, like this one:
http://canada.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-MichaelsCanada-Site/en_CA/Product-Show?pid=10269470&cgid=850513379
Over the years they’ve made all sorts of things–bookmarks, hats, scarves, stuffed animals, hair ties…. while I read or while they listen to audio books.
Thanks for this recommendation! I think we have a hand loom around here somewhere that I should dig out!
Another option to keep older kids entertained while reading aloud could be the model making series of trains, planes, cars and bridges complete stories: https://www.amazon.com/Trains-Complete-History-Philip-Steele/dp/1626861560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510620010&sr=8-1&keywords=Trains%3A+A+Complete+History+by+Philip+Steele.
Thank you for the great resources, but of all the recommendation provided, personally, I would stay away from using fidget spinners. There is a bunch of articles out there on how much a spinner might stimulate a brain rather than relax it and could become in an addition.
I have two sons aged 14 1/2 and 12. I love these ideas and would really like my sons to do these type of activities while I read. But they are not interested! They just want to relax and listen to me read aloud. Should I force them to do activities like the ones you’ve suggested?
One of my sons never wanted to do anything except listen but the others could only hold still is they were doing something. I think they should be able to so whatever works for then and doesn’t disturb the others. Even if it’s just sitting.
If they’re happy to relax and listen, then you can save these activities for a rainy day?
Hi there! Thanks for this great episode! I had thought there were going to be links to the studies about kids listening better when doing something with their hands – is that the case? Am I missing the links somehow? Thanks!
That’s the book Fidget to Focus: https://readaloudrevival.com/books/fidget-to-focus-outwit-your-boredom-sensory-strategies-for-living-with-add/
Thank you!
Thank you for this post, it was super helpful! I have 8 kids, new born to six years old. I need a boat load of all these supplies you mentioned! Great ideas!
I love your ideas. I will definitely be using your tip about dumping out the legos, since the rattling sound drives me crazy too! We invested in a sandbox, and it has been a wonderful way to keep my two young children (aged 2 and 7) busy and quiet while I read aloud to them. Sometimes my son even builds things that are related to what I have been reading. Our sandbox reading sessions are usually at my older child’s level, but my two year old picks up a surprising amount while she is playing quietly.
Our son has enjoyed doing cut out and assemble puzzles like this (https://smile.amazon.com/Model-Trojan-Usborne-Cut-Out-Models/dp/0746016689/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506655869&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=usborne+3d+trojan+horse).
Love it! Where did you get that marker container? I love the handle!
You forgot “Fold the Laundry”! I read aloud to my kids at the end of the day, and by then, we’ve got like four baskets of laundry that need to be dealt with, so that’s my deal: I’ll read if you fold. It’s a win all around!
That’s a big win!
Great idea!
Thank you for the list.
I’ll add “water painting” to the list for the tiny tots. I’ve done this since my littlest ones were old enough to hold a paint brush.
Buy a pad of construction paper from the dollar store. Tear off a piece and give your child a small bowl (preferably one of those with the suction cup bottoms) with just a little bit of water in it and a paint brush. Have them dip the paint brush in the water and then brush it on the construction paper. When the water hits the paper, it “paints” turns the paper a darker color. It’s magic! Ha!
All of my kids have LOVED this. They really think they are painting, even though it’s just water. After we’re done painting, I leave the sheets out on the deck to dry and reuse the same pieces of construction paper to paint again. The kids can usually “paint” on them three or four times a piece before they start to denigrate.
This is a wonderful way for the “littles” to paint while everyone else is using real watercolors or paints or crayons and get some read aloud time in : )
Genius!
Also, we love pipe cleaners (those fuzzy, bendy sticks of all colors) for read aloud time. :) Available at all dollar stores, Walmart, etc.
Thank you!! I have five kids, ages 3 through 16. I printed out the finger knitting instructions and ordered some of the how-to-draw books, Melissa and Doug paper, and watercolors. My kids looooooove read aloud time (I usually have one read-aloud going with the whole family and also a special read-aloud book with each of my three older kiddos), but they often like to be doing something while they are snuggled beside me, and the tricks in my bag are getting a little old. Can’t wait for these new special read-aloud-time activities to arrive! :)
Does this work for narration read-a-louds?
Thank you for this! I (Serina’s fourteen-year-old daughter) like to color, draw, knit, and cross-stitch while listening to reading. Actually, my sister is the one who really loves that stuff, but I do it because I can’t really write while I’m listening to Harry Potter (which is something I’d do if I could). Again, thanks!
Can you share where you got the large pictures your little ones are painting?
Those are the Melissa and Doug Big Coloring Pads–there’s a link just above!
Thank you so much! So many great resources. We love read-aloud time! Yes to geo boards! Also, we bought a lay n go bag for our Legos. It is amazing!! It lays flat on the floor and when they are done, it sinches up with a drawstring and all the Legos are trapped in a bag! Clean up is a breeze.
Sooooo helpful!! Thank you so much for going to all the trouble of putting this list together.
Thank you for this!! I am a visual person and the video helped me understand how you organize. Can you take pictures of your entire read aloud area and post them? I have all the littles, so I would like to see what all you have available for them.
Thanks for the great ideas! My 2 and 3 year olds also really love doing button art and geoboards, which could both be great activities to do during read-aloud time.
Learning Resources Classpack Geoboards, 7 Inches, Set of 10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004WKQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nTMYzbZNE0SXY
Button Art https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0718TCR2X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GPMYzb8NJKMJG
Geoboards! I forgot about those. Gonna order a set- thanks for mentioning them.
I love this list! So many resources I didn’t even know about. Now I have a go-to list for Christmas and birthday presents!
Great podcast. How do I get to the show notes? I’m interested in the links to the suggested items.
This post serves as the show notes, so if you scroll up here you’ll find links to everything! 😊