RAR #09: A University Professor’s Perspective on Reading Aloud, Dr. Catherine Pakaluk
What can a university professor say about the value of reading aloud for future academic and relational success?
A lot, actually. If that professor is also a mother of many, she’ll lend a perspective on fitting read-aloud time into busy family life, and the value of even five minutes a day spent diving into a story with your kids.
In today’s episode, I talk with Dr. Catherine Pakaluk from Ave Maria University.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- why students who have been read aloud to fare better than their peers in college
- how she carves out time to make reading aloud a priority as a working mother of seven
- and why even five minutes a day can add up to a whole heck of a lot of reading
Links from this episode:
(Some links are affiliate links.)
- Links to Dr. Joseph Price’s research, which Dr. Pakaluk references on the show: The Effect of Parental Time Investments, Time vs. Money- Which Resources Matter for Children?, The Time Use of Teenagers
- Story Nory– free audio stories read every week by Natasha Gostwick and friends
- Books Should Be Free– lots of free audiobooks (especially classics)
- Sarah recommends everything published by Bethlehem Books
- Ave Maria University is a thriving college that emphasizes truth and beauty in the hearts and minds of its students. Did you know that about 1/3 of students at Ave Maria University were homeschooled all the way through high school?
Books from this episode:
(All links are affiliate links.)
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I saw the benefits of reading aloud first hand… And then I became friends with the pioneer, Mr. Jim Trelease. I LOVE that you have taken the mantle to our generation.
My friend recently referred me to you site and podcasts. I am a first year school teacher. I teach ELA (English Language Arts) in upper elementary and I love your podcasts.
Thank you for providing such a great service!
Oh goodness, welcome to the Read-Aloud Revival, Melissa! :) So glad you’re here.
Last summer (2015) I had another baby (born with special needs and alot of doctor appointments)… I started homeschooling Kindergarten for my oldest and honestly I just survived. He is a wiz at math but reading, not.his.thing. Thank- goodness it was just Kinder. That said, I have been faithful this summer to do my OWN homework and get my OWN education to how to bring reading to life for my now 1st grader. We had a great reading summer. This website/podcast has been a breath of fresh air for my soul, my mind and for our family. I can’t tell you how excited I am. I have picked out a few nuggets from your interviews and really started to be faithful in our reading routines. I am so blessed by you and by each of these speakers. Being that I am getting all this great information while my kids are still young gives me the confidence and the perspective I needed. These are fabulous master classes for even the ‘so called’ educated like me with a few masters degree.
Keep them coming!!
I loved this podcast! Maybe my favorite so far. Catherine was wonderful. The data regarding a literature versus science/math focused education and how it translates to a person’s college academic experience is fascinating.
Sarah, these podcasts are a blessing and I have been sharing links and promoting to my local homeschooling group.
Thank you!
Love these! They are so encouraging.
I am love, love, LOVING these podcasts. I am so thrilled to have found some encouragement and education as I endeavor to read aloud to my children daily. Thank you for all of your hard work. You are a blessing!
We do both. I encourage reading out loud as well as quietly.
I’m really loving your podcasts! I read Jim Trelease’s book last Fall and that got me on the read-aloud bandwagon!
I have a question about kids who are resistant to reading aloud. My 6 y.o. boy loves listening to me read and would be happy to listen all day long. My 4.5 y.o. boy has never liked reading as much and he actually sabotages our reading time. Even if I encourage him to do something quietly by himself he will do everything he can to keep us from reading! Any tricks & tips to get more reading time in and deal with his sabotage?!
Is there a toy ( legos or play doh etc) that he loves? You could make it so that toy only comes out during reading time. I have a 5 yr old Tasmanian Devil too. Do you have a mini tramp or an extra mattress you don’t care about? We have an extra mattress in our bedroom so when he is being very disruptive I challenge him with “I bet you can’t jump to 100”. He laughs and jumps away. If he still has energy, i bump it to 200. Usually by then he is tuckered out enough to listen or at least play quietly. I do keep reading while he is jumping. I usually lower my voice and that seems to keep his noise down because he decides he really does want to hear. Hope that helps
Home sick today and this was an enjoyable way to pass the time :) These podcasts have had an amazing influence in our home. My dyslexic 11 year old is devouring audiobooks due in large part to my seeing how deeply valuable this is for him through Andrew Pudewa. In just two weeks he has listened to Bridge to Terabithia, Wildwood, Aesop’s Fables, Hatchet, and Peter Pan. AMAZING.
Happy, happy, happy. :)
I am a huge fan of this podcast and I so appreciate the wide variety of topics that you’ve covered under the reading aloud umbrella. As a mom and teacher, I loved the research that Dr. Pakaluk shared about the difference reading aloud makes in test scores and what she has observed from her own experience. What a unique perspective to hear from a professor! This is the message that I want to better convey to the parents of the students I teach. It is an investment that matters!
Wow, I can’t wait for all the upcoming episodes and speakers. I’m a big fan of “Ten ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child”, so I’m definitely looking forward to Dr. Esolen.
May the Lord continue to bless your efforts in helping other homeschooling moms.
Patty