THE READ ALOUD CHANGE

Written by: Mandy Johnson

When I found out I was pregnant with my oldest, I read to her every day

As a teacher, I read the books that were a part of my personal collection that had been included in lessons

At her babyshower, we collected books instead of cards so her personal library started growing.

After she was born, I read the books my mom read to me Some even from my childhood bedroom

Sometime between kindergarten and second grade, reading for her changed Like most children who start school, reading for fun turns to reading to learn

That transition is hard. Add in different learning and teaching styles, reading can go from fun to discouraging really quick.

As a former teacher, I understood this process in school and how development is different for each child

I desperately wanted her to love reading as much as I do but as a mom I needed to understand from a different perspective so I could walk alongside her.

As I started to read all of the things, from research to my friend’s advice and from podcasts to books, my favorite resources were the following:

The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie

This book came as a resource at exactly the right time and I absolutely know God brought me to this book at the perfect time. Sarah Mackenzie graciously reminded me that I can pour as much as I want into my kids but it is important to be intentional about finding time to connect with them. Throughout her pages she gave the gentle reminder that no matter how the day has started, there is time to stop and connect and no matter how the day is ending, the activity of reading aloud together can be a time of bonding before falling asleep that impacts tomorrow

This book is written into three parts. Part 2 describes how to create a “Book Club Culture” in your home and my favorite is Part 3 where each chapter breaks down Sarah’s book list into age groups of 03, 4-7, 8-12 and teens.

2 The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

I wish this book had been on the recommendations to read before having kids. In fact, I wish this book had been recommended when I was in college before I stepped foot into my first classroom. Not only does it lay an incredible foundation for the importance of reading with your kids but it shares why you should continue to do so no matter the age

My favorite chapter is nine where the author shares research of the impact dads have on their children by reading aloud to them Reading is an amazing way for father’s to participate in their child’s academic success and intellectual interests by simply reading.

“Dad when you read to a child you get a second chance in life: to meet and enjoy the books you missed out on as a kid. Or look at it this way: Reading to your child is really just another form of coaching, except this one allows snuggling.”

Even if you don’t read the book, the book lists provided in this book for any age, for specific character and interests are worth the purchase. These lists make it easy for anyone to check a few out from the library and find your next favorite book.

I decided to start being intentional by reading with my daughter again I mean I had just read two books full of research highlighting the importance of doing this activity, why not try it I didn’t just start reading based on her school requirements I didn’t pick books I thought would benefit the whole family I didn’t replace our other reading, like the bible, with this new activity I decided to create space in our day, every day, for us to read a book of her choosing. We read reviews about a book on her list, request it from the library and I download it to my phone. We would get snuggled up, cozy in some pillows or blankets, and read.

We began to experience immediate positive impact.

When I say immediate, I really mean it Within the first couple of days my daughter was looking for opportunities in our day to read more Within the first week she was interested in finding other books similar to what we were reading After the first month, we were hooked It has been fun finding books together, deciding some books don’t need to be finished, and the conversations of what will happen next. When we started this change, my hope was to help her love reading to make her work at school easier. By reading together, I discovered this time provided incredible opportunities for deep connection Not only did I uncover the root cause of her reluctance to read but we found a new joy in reading together

*This post contains affiliate links You can read our full affiliate disclosure here Mandy and her husband do life blended with four kids ages nine and under You can find in homeschool lessons by day or eating tacos and country dancing during date night Mandy enjoys working closely integrate experiences to identify triggers to welcome wholeness while growing closer to Jesus