Maybe you’ve heard you should read-aloud to your preschoolers, but do you know the benefits of reading aloud to your competent readers?

Educators and communication experts have discovered that:

“Because linguistic information is best stored in the brain auditorily, children who have had read to them reliably correct and sophisticated language patterns for many years are much more likely to develop competence in written (and verbal) communication skills.” –Andrew Padewa

Not only does reading aloud help with communication skills, but families bond while they share a story.

All that’s great. But with our busy lives how do we add one. more. thing to our schedules?

Well, once again I have good news! This week’s podcast guest, Sarah Mackenzie, has created the “Read-Aloud Revival” podcast and community. She gives moms practical tips and fabulous resources to make reading aloud not only possible, but enjoyable!

In this episode, Sarah eases our guilt and helps set realistic expectations for how reading aloud looks. Bonus, she shares great ideas for using audio books that actually give moms a much needed break AND help your kids with their auditory comprehension skills. Cha ching!

Can’t wait for you to share your favorite read-aloud books on Instagram this week. Use the hashtag #readaloudrevival and make sure to tag me to so I can see (@GodCenteredMom).

What we chat about:

• Why Sarah starting reading aloud to her kiddos.
• An easy tip to attach reading with something you do every day.
• Letting go of unrealistic expectations and ideals of your time reading aloud.
• Figuring out the “why” behind you want to read-aloud with kids.
• Realizing that when boys’ hands are busy it doesn’t mean they aren’t listening.
• Remembering to keep the reading time short and that time adds up over days.
• Find books that you enjoyed as a kid, not just the ones you think you “should” read.
• Great ways to use audio books to share the story and connect as a family.
• Finding community who can support you in your pursuit.
• Why introverts are drawn to reading aloud to their kids.
• How to have great conversations with your kids over books you haven’t read with them.
• Encouragement to just get started reading, don’t worry about creating a formal plan.

Links Mentioned:

Andrew Pudewa, Director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing

Andrew Pudewa’s talk on Nurturing Competent Communicators that inspired Sarah to start the podcast (“With humor and insight, Andrew will share the two easy but unbelievably powerful things you can do to build language patterns and nurture competent communicators in your family.”)

Andrew Pudewa on the Read Aloud Revival Podcast, Episode 1

Jim Trelease–“The Read-Aloud Handbook”**

“Caught Up in a Story” by Sarah Clarkson**

“The Reading Promise: My Father and theBooks We Shared” by Alice Ozma and Jim Brozina**

Misty Winkler–simplyconvivial.com

Read Aloud Revival Book List–RARbooklist.com or text “Books” 444999

“Little House” audio books read by Cherry Jones

Read Aloud Revival membership site–RARmembership.com

“5 Questions to have great conversations about books with your kids” pdf

**Amazon affiliate links