mamamindy Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Logistically, I am finding it difficult to find the best time (or way?) for our literature and history read-alouds. And, realistically, there may not be a "perfect time" for my children's ages. Ideally, I'd like to read aloud our chosen literature (currently that's Peter Pan, DH is reading Matilda) and SOTW Ancients to all my children. Or at least the 3 oldest. My DS 3yo is wonderful at sitting still and enjoys listening. DD 5.5yo CANNOT sit still to save her life, but I don't really care if she's not distracting anyone. And surprisingly, she gets a lot from our reading. I have tried first thing in the morning, but it doesn't work well with the 19mo. And they all just want to play together while I do cleaning so I'm happy with that. Then we do our skill work individually with mom with littles playing with an older in between. Then we all need a break, so reading then doesn't seem to work after that. Reading works best after lunch. And right now it seems to work best to put the baby down for a nap first. If all three are listening, they usually bug each other and it's hard for my oldest at least to not be distracted. I like to get a narration from her. So, long explanation, but the best time has been when I have put both the baby and 3yo down for a nap, and read with the big girls. Problem is, by this time I just don't have much energy for anything else. I could get a short narration, but if it goes on for much longer, this seriously cuts into my all-the-children-in-their-room-reading-quietly-time which I desperately need. Hmmm... what to do? I really, really want to do narrations, picture-drawing, activities... And, they're into these things - they're willing. But it seems like we're finding less time for it. It seems I used to have ALL DAY to just read to them. And it's their favorite thing to do. So, any suggestions for how to fit this in? (BTW, we do read aloud to them before bed, but I don't want to ask any "extra" after this reading, well, because I want them to go to bed.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Could you get the audio CDs for SOTW for the older girls to listen to sometime during the day? I would let them listen to that while you do something with the youngers and then get a narration from your oldest. Then at nap time you would only have the fiction read aloud to do (let them draw a picture or something while you read if you want some kind of output) and then hopefully some down time for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 We did family fun read-alouds at night -- that would be things like your Peter Pan and Mathilda. Perhaps that could happen after dinner and after 19-month-old has been put to bed? It would not only work in a secondary reading time, but it might be a way to calm things down at night for older DC to transition towards bedtime. ;) And perhaps if you don't always have the energy or ability to do that read aloud yourself, you could use a book on tape. During the day, to keep them from bugging each other during history read-aloud, can you give each DC a piece of paper that has been folded in quarters, and reopened, so the paper has four "boxes"; for youngers, they must listen and draw 4 things (1 picture for each box) that stood out to them that would be their main points for their narration. Or, they could have an unfolded blank page and keep adding to it, and then they narrate to you at the end of the reading time what were the key points they captured through their drawings. And if oldest DC is comfortable with writing, instead of drawing that student could either practice note-taking, OR, could draw, but label with captions, sort of like an Eyewitness book. To help keep people from bugging one another while the reading goes on, how about sitting/laying on yoga balls; have fidget toys and tactile helps handy; have the 5.5yo in an appliance box with pillows or under a table covered by a blanket, or get a couple of those big cardboard tri-fold display boards and everyone creates their own cubby space... To help YOU out, maybe EVERYONE has a quiet time after lunch, with youngers getting naps, and olders doing quiet things on their beds. That may mean that some read-aloud books are done at that time, solo, as books on tape, but you could discuss after, or as the transition from the quiet time, have them share what they especially enjoyed about the chapters they listened to. BEST of luck, mama -- you have your hands full! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I've started reading during breakfast and lunch. Mine are slow eaters so i usually get to read for about 30 minutes ech time. If they finish eating before I'm finished reading i have different colored papers, markers, pencils, and crayons set out for them to grab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 We have done read alouds several ways over the years, mostly depending on the age of the kids at the time. Reading at meal times is good, except I always find myself rushing to eat either before or after and overeating if I am not careful. I have a child that struggles to listen if his hands are not engaged so, as long as he plays quietly, I give him lots to choose from during reading time: Legos Coloring pages Widgets Playdoh Thinking Putty Pipe cleaners Beads A variety of Papo toys Action figures Plastic canvas Playmobile Auto blocks Puzzles Stuffed animals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamindy Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Wow! You all are just FULL of ideas! Thank you so much!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishMum Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 We do a lot of read alouds during lunch. It's often an audio book, but I still count it as a read aloud. I find it much better to listen to an audio book, then 4 screaming, chatting boys, all eager to talk at lunch, and save that noise for the dinner table when Daddy is home! A quiet lunch also helps my mood for the rest of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeriJ Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 I have been where you are....not too long ago! :) You're not far from it getting easier. Just this year it has gotten a little easier for me. I have done exactly what was suggested: get the baby and the preschooler down at the same time, then quickly start the history reading. We get through it, get a narration and then I send the rest off for quiet time. That usually gets me about an hour of alone time before the baby and preschooler are up. I really have to plan ahead to get it to work smoothly, but we're getting there. I agree with having quiet, hands-on things for them to do while they listen. My 5 year old plays with cars, legos...whatever, as long as he's quiet. But he gets quite a bit out of the reading. Then we usually do literature around bedtime, sometimes with Daddy. Sometimes we divide and conquer at that time. Daddy reads to the littles while Mommy reads to the biggers. Every year changes, but we just try to adjust as we go. Fun times! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamindy Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 I have been where you are....not too long ago! :) You're not far from it getting easier. Just this year it has gotten a little easier for me. I have done exactly what was suggested: get the baby and the preschooler down at the same time, then quickly start the history reading. We get through it, get a narration and then I send the rest off for quiet time. That usually gets me about an hour of alone time before the baby and preschooler are up. I really have to plan ahead to get it to work smoothly, but we're getting there. I agree with having quiet, hands-on things for them to do while they listen. My 5 year old plays with cars, legos...whatever, as long as he's quiet. But he gets quite a bit out of the reading. Then we usually do literature around bedtime, sometimes with Daddy. Sometimes we divide and conquer at that time. Daddy reads to the littles while Mommy reads to the biggers. Every year changes, but we just try to adjust as we go. Fun times! :) I'm glad I'm not alone! Hardly, right?! This (above) is almost exactly what we're doing now. Only I'm having a harder time getting much at all done with my progressing pregnancy. I'll relax knowing that it will indeed get easier again. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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