The family read-aloud. It is a humble activity, done in quiet times and places. An early-morning book, a bedtime story, cozied up to the people you love. But this simple activity is substantially more than what it may seem. We all know the educational benefits of reading aloud and how it turns reluctant readers into lovers of stories and excellent books, but what else is happening when you dive into a story with your children?
Sarah Mackenzie, a homeschooling mom of six, author, and founder of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, unpacks the magic of read-alouds in her book, The Read-Aloud Family.
Story Connects You
As parents, we go all-in for our kids. Meals are made, baths are given, appointments are scheduled, and education and extracurriculars are emphasized. These and a host of other tasks are unarguably necessary. But as parents we know that beyond these physical necessities lies an even greater goal: creating meaningful and lasting connection with our children, the kind of connection that will last into their adulthood. And while raising children comes with no guarantees, we know that being truly present with them is an important ingredient in establishing lasting relationships. Reading aloud can be an easy way to be truly present with them. Sarah from The Read-Aloud Family says, “When we read with our kids, we step outside the noise, the hustle, the friction, and for just a few minutes, we are completely and totally present with them.” A good story has the ability to cut through the endless to-dos and focus on each other, making way for conversation, memories, and relationships that last. If you are longing to connect to your kids in a meaningful way, grab a book and start reading! Being truly present with your children is as close as the nearest bookshelf.
Inspiring Virtue
After reading The Swiss Family Robinson, our three children enthusiastically took to the yard, gathering all the supplies necessary for their survival in the wilderness. Constructing a dwelling and securing food were first priority; capturing the local tiger that threatened their new way of life (our elderly cat, Kiki) was a close second.
Moments like these make me chuckle, but it is a good reminder of the simple truth that children live vicariously through story, and they will often emulate the characters they encounter.
It is unlikely our children will ever survive a real shipwreck and capture a tiger, but we can be certain, as they grow, they will experience struggle and hardship. Despite our deep desire to protect them, we may not always be there to help. What we can offer them while they are young is practice – practice through story. CS Lewis says it well, “Since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.”
A child who has read widely has experienced a myriad of difficulties and triumphs without actually having to face them personally. Within the safety of a story, they have encountered villains and heroes, danger and death, struggle and victory. And the heroic virtue they encounter through story can inspire them to be a hero in their own lives.
Teaching (without actually teaching)
Let’s say I wanted to teach my children about bravery. I could whip out the blackboard and grab my Oxford Dictionary, researching the word’s origin. I could come up with synonyms and antonyms of bravery, examples of how we ourselves can be brave. OR I could open up a book and watch my children fill with inspiration as they follow Frodo on his harrowing journey to destroy the Ring of Power in the fires of Mount Doom. In that moment, the children ARE Frodo and the fate of Middle Earth depends on them. Are they brave enough? I think it’s easy to tell which lesson on bravery the children will more readily respond to. Sarah Mackenzie calls it, “quickening the heartbeat of a hero.” And it’s more effective than any didactic lesson on bravery.
Andrew Peterson, the author of The Wingfeather Saga, writes, “If you want a child to know the truth, tell him the truth. If you want a child to love the truth, tell him a story.”
So while I could use the blackboard and give my children a didactic lesson on bravery, a story captivates and lodges truth inside of us like no dictionary ever could.
Our family has been reading aloud for a few years now, and it has become one of the best parts of our day. So make it fun! Serve tea or hot chocolate. Throw in some crayons and pencils to busy those little hands. Or just simply pile up on the sofa and don’t overthink it! Oftentimes, even the most reluctant readers will come running when a story is being offered. And, surprisingly, the love of being read to doesn’t stop when you are fluent; older kids love it just as much! Don’t believe me? Try it! The family read-aloud just might change your life and the lives of your children for the better. In fact, I guarantee it will!
Suggested Reading
Here are some read-alouds suggested by Sarah Mackenzie in The Read-Aloud Family based on age level. Of course, you know your child best, but these can help get you started on your read-aloud journey. Beautiful Books Library carries all of these great books…
0-3 Years of Age
- Charlie Needs a Cloak by Tomie dePaola
- Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day
- Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
4-7 Years of Age
- Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña
- Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola
- My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
8-12 Years of Age
- The Green Ember by S.D. Smith
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
The Teen Years
- Castle by David Macaulay
- Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
- On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson