I hated read alouds, now I love them!

I used to hate reading chapter books aloud to my kids. Don't get me wrong, I've always read them picture books and really enjoyed those, but chapter books were a different story. Fast forward to today, and now it's something I truly enjoy doing! So much so, that we are basing our entire history curriculum next year on chapter book read alouds. So what changed? I'm sharing all about the things I did over the last few years that really helped me go from dreading read aloud time (and avoiding it altogether) to truly looking forward to it as one of my favorite parts of our homeschool day! If you find yourself feeling the same way I used to, or have just never really known where to start when it comes to reading aloud or choosing good books, here are some tips that worked for me and hopefully you will find one or two (or all!) of them helpful.
I use the Sonlight readers/read alouds lists to get book ideas
Sonlight Readers: www.sonlight.c...
Sonlight Read alouds: www.sonlight.c...
Read Aloud Revival: readaloudreviv...
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homeschool read alouds, homeschool tips, homeschool advice, homeschool mom encouragement, homeschool chapter books

[@kat_9999]

My 7 year old prefers to do most of the reading. She is a fast reader and I guess I don't go fast enough for her. Lol. Having older children read to younger children is a great way to get everyone involved too and sometimes changing it up, or taking turns keeps everything fresh and exciting. Also, changing the scenery can help. Say you usually read on the couch, try cuddling up in bed or taking it outside to do the readaloud.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Awesome! Yes my older ones like to read aloud too but the other siblings complain and only want me to read 🤦🏻‍♀️ but I know this works for many others families!

[@hollyalong2780]

Thank you so much. I love what you said about your mom as well. So sweet. ❤

[@supportsquadteaching]

I was so that person. I didn’t enjoy reading aloud initially. Now I look forward to it ❤ I like to use short chapter books that I enjoy (imagination station, magic treehouse, ranger series). I also love the audio books-epic, vooks🎉

[@natalieward77]

As toddlers I would read to them constantly! As time has passed I’ve gotten away from reading to them because …well they can read…🥴…lol… fast forward here we are and I want to incorporate living books, and use the Beautiful Feet Geography this year… but I literally can’t get my kids to read😖 I’ve bought books that look cool to me and things that I think they would like… & nope…

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Aww man. Keep trying…not forcing it, but still giving it a try here and there. You never know what book might be a hit

[@amandab.6815]

I don't remember my parents reading to me either. But YES to reading books you as the parent are interested in. The others I just pass to my kids to read on their own if they really want to.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes 🙌

[@Homeschooling_Realtor]

One thing I did when I started working in read alouds is I transitioned with easy chapter books, like Frog and Toad and Poppleton to get them used to "wanting more". I also plan ahead always for what they will do to keep their hands busy while I read. Sometimes it's legos, or math manipulatives, sometimes I have a coloring page that correlates to the book. It makes a more delightful experience for all of us.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Oh yes, thanks for that…I forgot to mention that! Some kids like having their hands busy with listening ☺️

[@gaylemacdonell104]

As a 90s homeschool kid, my mom read us TONS of books and we read tons of books on our own. I loved that. Now I'm trying to do that with my kiddos and wow.... I've always loved doing picture books with them. But now trying to find the right chapter book to read aloud. Ugggg

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Love that you have those childhood memories 🥰🥰

[@littlecozynook]

Thanks so much for those awesome tips! I too love reading picture books over chapter books to my kiddos. I also give them the actual book while listening to the audiobook to follow along. That really helps to get those chapter books into our schedule! Ps: I have a ton of audiobooks and read Alouds in my channel if you need to use them 😊❤ Thanks again for such a helpful video! 🎉

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

O my goodness, your channel looks so fun! I’m absolutely going to share with my girls 😊

[@annemary8182]

Girl! You talking about me😂😂😂😂😂. Thanks for the tips. Hope to end this problem

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

🥰🥰🥰

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

Great recommendations Lauren! ❤ I don’t love read alouds either, but we use Sonlight too. 😂😂 My recommendation is to start with short chapter books at first. Fun books. Then as you go you can incorporate longer books and books that go with your History etc.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes that really helped me to love them was learning about historical characters or time periods through chapter books

[@jessicajones611]

Such a great video, great tips,

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rochellearthur1395]

I realized I love reading aloud chapter books, but, I like when it has short chapters and needs good language. Those early reader type of book I actively avoid!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

O yes! And books like magic treehouse where every single line in the book ends with “John said” and “said Sally” 😵‍💫

[@rochellearthur1395]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler exactly!!! The worst!!

[@kr15242]

I prefer reading chapter books out loud rather than picture books 😂, my poor little kids get a lot of pages skipped… sometimes my big kids homework is reading to the littles 😅. Also if I’m sick or something and can’t read out loud I try to listen to audio books with my kids and pause periodically to summarize and review with them.