So what do I do when kids are whiny and don’t want to sit and listen to a read-aloud? And what about teens that aren’t interested in the family book? How do I organize my booklists?
On today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we’re answering these questions (and more). These Q&A podcasts are listener favorites, so grab some laundry, pop in your earbuds, and let’s go!
Click that play button below to hear the podcast!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Books we talked about during the show:
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Other Links from this episode:
- Find Allison’s blog and podcasts at Truth Beauty Goodness
- Sarah and Allison’s prior FAQ podcast, episode #18
- Link to sign up for Sarah’s free e-magazine, Flourish
- Brandy Vencel’s blog post on 3 types of books moms should be reading
- The Well-Read Mom
- Anne Bogel’s website, Modern Mrs. Darcy
- Adam Andrews and the Center for Lit
- Learn more about the Read-Aloud Revival Membership Site
- Melissa Wiley’s blog
- Mystie Winckler’s blog, SimplyConvivial
- Hear more about utilizing audiobooks in Read-Aloud Revival episode #14 with Mystie Winckler
- Hear more about reading with teens on Read-Aloud Revival episode #23 with Julie Bogart
- Sarah’s (surprisingly organized!) liturgical booklists
[gss-content-box color=blue]You can leave an iTunes review for the show by clicking here, choosing View in iTunes, then Ratings & Reviews. (And hey- subscribe while you’re there so you don’t miss a podcast!) :) THANK YOU![/gss-content-box]
Oooo….I’m so looking forward to listening to this one!
So good! Keep them coming
Loved the podcast! As my toddler talks constantly during our morning time, I sometimes wonder what else I can be doing, but they’re listening and learning!
You mentioned that your science text is an audio book. What do you use? I would love to incorporate that into our day.
We use Apologia- they have audiobooks for a few of their programs. This year we’re doing human anatomy, so we grabbed the audio on Audible. :)
Awesome! Thanks!
Oh I can totally relate to having to be careful about reading homeschool books before bed because I might start having ideas roll around in my head…and then it takes me FOREVER to go to sleep. :)
I really enjoyed the show, Sarah!
Hey, I’ve noticed it’s come up a couple of times, the question of how to get children to sit still for read aloud time, and in this episode, how to get started if you’ve never done reading aloud as a family event before. I’ve had a little experience in this department, as mom to 4 (almost 5!) ages 8, 6, 4, & 1.5, and we started our reading aloud habit when my oldest was about 3-4 years old. At that time, we had of course read plenty of picture books together just as the whim hit us, but I remember the big catalyst for our habit was my desire to be more intentional with familiarizing our children with all the great Bible stories. I wanted them to have a solid foundation in their mind of the grand story of God’s people and and our salvation, so we simply started reading a children’s Bible story every night at bedtime. I just grabbed whatever we already owned, which was a little eight-book set of individual stories that I’d kept from my childhood. Each night I’d grab one and read it to my oldest while rocking the baby to sleep, and by the time I finished the 10-15 minute story, they’d either drift off or I’d sing a few songs until they did.
This may be all we did for over a year (besides random times through the day when they’d ask to be read to). By the time our third child came along, I knew it was time to start incorporating more than Bible stories to our intentional read aloud time, so I started reading fiction to them as they laid down for nap time (while keeping up with our bedtime Bible reading-moved on to the 10-vol. blue Bible Story books by Arthur Maxwell). This worked well because the older 2 had bunk beds where they each kept separated from each other (important factor with my kids!), and they kept pretty still because they were tired and ready to settle in for their naps. At first, we just stuck to picture books, but gradually worked into longer ones. Then I decided to start on chapter books. We chose…. Little House in the Big Woods! I have to admit, I never got into the books as a child, so I didn’t have high expectations that my children would, but they loved it and would ask for extra chapters all the time! Another early selection they couldn’t get enough of was Just So Stories by Kipling.
I wanted to share this, because I thought our process made for a pretty natural progression as my little ones grew older, and hope this encourages other moms with only tiny children, that they don’t have to jump head first into a full-fledged routine, but that it’s okay to start small.
Our current reading routine includes our morning devotion time, which includes a Bible story, something character-building (now the Children’s Book of Virtues, previously Little Pilgrim’s Progress), and our memory work (ABC Bible verses, Psalms, the Lord’s Prayer, books of the Bible, etc). In the afternoon, we have our school-related selections, usually history or science and one of several literature selections we have going or a fairy tale or Lamb’s Shakespeare, etc. At night, my husband reads a chapter from another fiction book, currently The Silver Chair from Narnia. It sounds like a lot when I write it out, but we don’t alway get to each of these every day, although we try.
Well, sorry this got so long, but hopefully it helps someone out there!
Who does the audio book for Little House books? I didn’t catch it. this was the first time I’ve listened to your podcast and it was so delightful!
Thank you, Katherine! The narrator is Cherry Jones- she is just *delightful*! Here’s a link to one of the CD’s: http://amzn.to/1JdBYZF
I have listened to several of the podcasts and have been so encouraged by each one. I wanted to share 2 things; 1. I LOVED the Reading Promise! I laughed hysterically at Franklin’s funeral and cried at Prom. I even wrote Alice to tell her how much I enjoyed her book. You aren’t alone! 2. A book recommendation. I am reading Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga to my 8 year old because the rest of the family has read it…and LOVED it… and she’s totally left out. They are fantastic books that are both clever and beautiful. You fall in love with the characters. The first book is called On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. They are absolute favorites. You have shared such great books with me through this blog, I felt I needed to return the favor. :) So, thank you!!! Whatever you read…enjoy!
Great episode, Sarah! A question about Well Educated Mind. I was very overwhelmed by Well Trained Mind in my early years of homeschooling (as in throw-it-across-the-room…) so is the WEM as overwhelming? I love SWB but sometimes I am slightly intimidated. So I guess I’m asking if you can elaborate a little on that one.
Thanks Sarah.
The Well-Educated Mind is not anything like The Well-Trained Mind, really. I must say, I am very-extremely intimidated by The Well-Trained Mind! I try not to look at it if I can help it. :P But I love Susan Wise Bauer’s audio lectures and her general advice– I just have a mild panic attack when I read that particular book. :)
The Well-Educated Mind is basically a mother’s guide for how to read hard books if you haven’t done that before. She gives lots of practical tips and encouragement, and a very thorough and helpful annotated booklist. I like it a lot!
Posey! XO