Varying your child’s reading audience is beneficial for both you and your child. It gives you a break from hearing the same stories over and over. It offers your loved ones the chance to feel needed. It motivates your child, providing a purpose to read the best she can. It renders an opportunity to schedule regular reading times. The more comfortable your child feels reading to others, the easier it will be for her to read aloud in the classroom setting. Lastly, if both of you are willing, it is a fantastic way to serve your community.
Siblings
Having your child read to her siblings frees you up to _________ (fill in the blank) for about 10 to 15 minutes. Take advantage of this time to straighten up the house, brush your teeth, do your nails, or whatever you need to do. Whether it’s an older child reading to younger ones, or a younger child reading to older ones, all will be rewarded in one way or another. This gives them the chance to practice reading or listening, both of which are important skills. They may also bond with each other as they spend time noticing, giggling, commenting, and sharing an experience.
Pets
Libraries have embraced having animals visit in order to assist young readers become more comfortable reading aloud. Cats, dogs, birds, fish, hamsters, and farm animals enjoy the one-on-one attention they get as a child reads to them. In return, they can help lower your child’s stress and anxiety. Rather than interrupt or correct your child, the animals will sit and listen patiently, no matter what the story. This is a delightful way to build your child’s confidence as she reads. If you don’t own a pet, check with a neighbor, the library, or your local shelter to set up an appointment. Find out more about the reading with pets movement and what research has shown here.
Extended Family Members
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins can make a great audience. Your child may read to them in person, over the phone, or virtually. Have your child make a list with you of people to whom she would like to read. If it goes especially well, consider making it a weekly session. One word of caution: it’s always a good idea for you to be in the same room as your child, even when she is reading to someone else. We wouldn’t want this experience to turn into an opportunity for abuse of any kind.
Your Village
Don’t forget that you are surrounded by people who want to help! They may just need to be given the chance. Call on your close friends, your child’s old teachers, sweet old neighbors, and people from your congregation or other groups in which you’re involved. Of the people we have asked, we haven’t had anyone turn us down yet! This is a simple way for people to support you as a parent, especially this school year as our kids have missed out on so much time in the classroom. Again, make sure you are present to protect your child.
Seniors
Many people who have lived a full life can find themselves lonely and melancholy after being placed in a care facility. Imagine what a weekly virtual reading date with a child could do for their spirits! Perhaps you know someone in particular who could benefit from this arrangement. If not, call your local memory care center or other assisted living facility and ask if it would be possible to schedule something. Think about individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are blind and those incapable of learning to read. What a great opportunity to serve members of our community and benefit in return. Not only will your child get to practice reading to someone, but also get to know a new friend, and learn to have compassion for others. Once again, this is not something your child would undertake on her own. She would need you by her side. But believe me, you would not want to miss it.
I invite you to schedule an audience for your child this week. After making a few suggestions, have her decide who you call and what she will read to them. Make it a fun, exciting event! Then, watch her glow with pride.
Enjoy the show!
This is one of my favorite entries, Tawny. As a grandparent, I love reading to the grandkids, starting when they are babies. But it gets even better when they start reading to me. Such a milestone.
I’m so happy to hear that! And I agree wholeheartedly; the sound of a child reading is a special kind of music.
❤️❤️❤️