Throwback Tuesday: Read Aloud Activites

 *Originally published March 2, 2016 when my boys were 8, 10 & 11 

I have never expected my boys to sit perfectly still and just listen to our stories when I am reading aloud.  I certainly wouldn't mind it if they did but I also don't mind if they find a quiet activity to work on while listening.

As they have gotten older it's much easier for them to sit and listen but I still don't expect them to sit perfectly still and they often are busy doing other things.  Since I often read aloud at breakfast or lunch they've gotten quite good at preparing meals and eating while listening.

I have noticed that even though they may not look like they are paying attention it's just not true.  No matter how busy their hands look as long as they enjoy the books they're paying attention and listening!

They laugh at all the right places, repeat funny lines, and make predictions spontaneously so I know that they are listening.

Here are some quiet activities I allow while reading aloud:

1. Coloring in our coloring books- we love these Color Counts books. 
2. Playing with toy cars
3. Building with soft blocks
4. Snuggling with blankets and stuffed animals
5. Playing video games on their Kindles with the sounds turned off
6. Using our pattern blocks
7. Playing with geoboards and elastics 
8. Playing with Play- Doh
9. Building with magnetic blocks
10. Cooking/ Baking (as long as they won't need to interrupt much to ask for help)
11. Snacking
12.  Blowing Bubbles
13. Playing on the swings (if we're reading outside)
14. Putting some Lego sets together 
15. Painting
16. Putting together model cars
17. Making loom band or other bracelets
18. Working on jigsaw puzzles
19.  Drawing pictures 
20. Working on Extreme Dot to Dot pages
21. Creating with Quixels
22. Playing with Cloud Dough
23. Playing with toy trucks in the sand (again; if we're reading outside)
24. Making a scratch art picture
25. Working on Stained Glass Made Easy kits 

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