31 Everyday Ways to Connect with Your Child, Day 17: Read Together
There’s nothing like going on an adventure together every day. Our very, very favorite thing to do together in the middle of a school day is to all gather together and read aloud.
We read aloud almost every day and my kids will tell you it is one of their favorite things we do together. I usually do the reading while they sit and listen or do something quiet with their hands. At the dinner table we have great conversations about the stories we are reading. It is amazing how much they learn about other subjects from one book. History, geography, nature, relationships…so many lessons we learn together.
Some of our favorite read alouds are: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien, All Things Great and Small by James Herriot, Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell, Runt the Brave by Daniel Schwabauer and OF COURSE Firmament: Radialloy by Grace Pennington!
Some days I have to MAKE myself stop and do it. I want to just keep working or doing school or whatever and I think that the reading can wait until tomorrow. But I have made a commitment and so I will do it no matter what else is happening. And I am always glad I did. The kids know that it’s a bit of a sacrifice of time for me so they appreciate it.
And guess what! I’ll be giving away 2 books at my webinar on November 5th! We’ll give away one copy of Grace’s book, Firmament: Radialloy to one of you and another will win a copy of Runt the Brave by Daniel Schwabauer. He’s such a favorite here that I couldnt resist giving one away. You can enter to win here:
The links to the books in our favorites list go through our Amazon affiliate store. We do receive a small percentage from the sales.
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Lisa, this tip is dear to my heart! I used to read aloud to my kids every single day. As my business has grown, it’s a habit that was broken. However, I’m trying to get back into it because I know how important it is for them, and me!
Great book suggestions too! Thanks!
We do tons of read alouds at our house too. This morning I was reading Mr. Gumpy’s Outing and How To Make an Apple Pie and See the World with my 7yo, 5yo and 3yo. Even with my older kids that are very proficient readers, I still always have a read-aloud that I read individually w/ them a couple times a week. Current reads w/ them – Dietrich Bonhoeffer bio, Lillian Trasher bio, David Livingstone bio, and SeeSaw Girl by Linda Sue Park (love most of her books!!) 🙂 Thanks, Lisa, for this great reminder to stick w/ the reading. 🙂
I grew up reading that Mother Goose book! Love reading with my boy, now we take turns when we share a book. He’s bigger than me and still enjoys our reading times, I fall asleep first now though! (He’s 15). Just a bunch of bibliophiles at our home!
Jennie, yes, I think that book is from my husband’s childhood. LOL! We’re a houseful of book lover too. How fun! Lisa~
My kids and I love to read together too. Although, I have to be honest, I am not always as good as you about making it happen as often as it should 🙁 I like coming to your site. It is an inspiration. If you can do it with all yours, surely I can do it well with my two:) Thanks for sharing you with us!