Make every day a Read Aloud Day November 29, 2019 By Bekki 1 Comment This content may contain affiliate links. Know someone this will bless? Share on Facebook Share Share on Pinterest Pin it Share on TwitterTweet Send To Devices Send I’m here to remind us both of something very important. There’s something more beneficial for our kids’ education than that curriculum we’re beginning to understand. I know. I’m addicted to lists and lesson planners too. There’s something alluring about being able to check off our math, bible, history, writing and science lessons everyday. It’s almost as satisfying as popping bubble wrap with your toes. But we miss the magic of delighting in learning if we’re pushed aside our reading books, novels, and children’s book to make room for reading comprehension, vocabulary lists and workbooks. There’s something seductive about curriculum that has warm-up activities, background, lessons and review quizzes all laid out in black and white. It gives us the sense that we are doing all the right things for our kids if we follow the plan. But we need to remember learning can be easier. It needs to be easier. Reading: The key to unlocking learning and igniting passion My 16-year-old asked me to read aloud yesterday. Apparently I began reading a story to him two years ago and never finished. Oh, I’ve long since forgotten all about the story, but he’s been waiting. For. Two. Years. I refuse to eat guilty pie about this, but I did apologize. He said, “That’s ok. We’re out of the read-aloud season of life, now.” WHOA! Can I correct something right now? “Oh, you are never too old for read-alouds, I just forget to sit and read to you. But let’s fix that!” Great related podcast: If You Want Your Kids to Love Reading, Try This Just because our kids can see the top of our heads when they stand next to us doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pick up But not the Hippopotamus in the book store and read it aloud. (Yes, I did that yesterday. I love Sandra’s stories) Just because our kids can read well doesn’t mean we shouldn’t brew some tea and curl up together and read a chapter book for a long time. Just because we bought a full literature and writing curriculum doesn’t mean we should push aside story time. Oh, if something has to be pushed to the side, let it be the curriculum. Related: 7 Important Benefits of Reading Aloud Make every day a read aloud day Nothing educates your child better than reading consistently to and with your kids. There are a few things to help us give our kids the BEST education. [Action #1]: As the school year begins to hum along, set a weekly reminder to spot check yourself. Are you enjoying beautiful picture books together?Are you reading a captivating chapter book aloud?Do you spend time everyday sitting and enjoying a good book? If you find curriculum squeezing the joy out of you home, push it in a time out and go to the library. [Action #2]: Go to the library as soon as possible and check out a whole stack of books. Strew them around the house and watch your kids. Observe what they gravitate toward and then get more of those types of stories. [Action #3]: Let your kids see you read every single day. (Audio books totally count! Juvenile fiction totally counts! Picture books absolutely count. Just read every day. [Action #4]: When you begin a new topic, look for picture books and dive deep into stories! As a last resort in learning, open a textbook. [Action #5]: Everyday 4-6 months Set aside ALL “school looking things” for a full week. All textbooks, workbooks, tests, quizzes, and glitter. everything. Breathe. You’re a homeschooler. Go to the park, zoo, museum. Pop some popcorn and binge watch National Geographic shows or black and white movies in jammies. Need some read aloud suggestions? Go to the local library and ask how many picture books you are aloud to check out at one time. Then check out that many books. We always had a basket of books from the library and spent hours reading each week. Free printable list for you right here Apple Read Alouds Nothing symbolizes the beginning of the school year like fresh crisp apples! Visit an apple farm, press some cider and take a bite out of a few great apple read alouds! Wacky Wednesday Read Alouds: Silly Stories Silly stories delight our children and expand their imagination. PLUS, they’re just plain fun! Get ready for some serious giggle time!! Fall Read Alouds Crips apple, crunchy leaves, and cinnamon spice all say the same thing… FALL! Wrap up in comfy clothes, brew something cinnamon-y delicious treat and curl up with some good stories! Pumpkin Read Alouds Come on, admit it. Going to the pumpkin patch is a rite of passage through childhood. How can you be a well rounded parent unless you go to the field of pumpkins outnumbered by children and have to reason with a little person, “If you can’t carry it yourself, it’s too big!” Thanksgiving Read Alouds Thanksgiving is out FAVORITE holiday. Food, family, and fooood. Enjoy these delicious goodies. Christmas Read Alouds Whether you are digging through the New Testament to read the story of Jesus’ birth or dipping a candy cane in hot chocolate as you read the Night Before Christmas, you’ll have to agree. There’s something magical about this time of year! Jan Brett Read Alouds Hands down, Jan Brett is my favorite illustrator author. More Christmas Read Alouds Because more is better in this case. Holiday tradition idea: Gift wrap 25 Christmas and winter books. Each day of December your kids can open a book as a special read aloud. The day after Christmas, have them practice their gift wrapping skills! Snow Read Alouds When the weather outside is frightful, declare a jammie day and read a basketful of snow read alouds together! Psalms Read Aloud Reading Psalms with kids can be exciting, but so can reading illustrated Psalms! Related: Let me teach your kids how to memorize Psalm 1 in its entirety for free. Spring Read Alouds Living in the Pacific Northwest causes me to celebrate spring more than when I lived in San Diego. The sun peeking through the clouds, the birds, and the flowers are unlike anything I’ve ever seen! Capture your child’s imagination with some Spring Read alouds! Summer Read Alouds Embrace the sunshine! Run, play and explore the great outdoors, but don’t forget to add a few great summer stories! Boys Read Alouds As a mom of five sons, I can tell you boys need crazy, adventurous, funny, and weird tales to dive into head first. “Embrace the testosterone!” Girls Read Alouds I am the only girl in my home. Even our dog is male. If I had little girls I’d read her all the boys book, sure. But I’d definitely fill her heart and mind with stories for girls. It’s really ok to embrace their femininity. PRINT THIS FREE Booklist This post comes with a free printable booklist to help fill your kids’ imaginations. I always keep a copy as a reference for our library trips!. Here is a sneak preview… DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE Download the booklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.Place it on your refrigerator, or in your car as a helpful reminder. Know someone this will bless? Share on Facebook Share Share on Pinterest Pin it Share on TwitterTweet Send To Devices Send