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.
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:
- Coloring in our coloring books- we love these Color Counts books.
- Playing with toy cars
- Building with soft blocks
- Snuggling with blankets and stuffed animals
- Playing video games on their Kindles with the sounds turned off
- Using our pattern blocks
- Playing with geoboards and elastics
- Playing with Play- Doh
- Building with magnetic blocks
- Cooking/ Baking (as long as they won't need to interrupt much to ask for help)
- Snacking
- Blowing Bubbles
- Playing on the swings (if we're reading outside)
- Putting some Lego sets together
- Painting
- Putting together model cars
- Making loom band or other bracelets
- Working on jigsaw puzzles
- Drawing pictures
- Working on Extreme Dot to Dot pages
- Creating with Quixels
- Playing with Cloud Dough
- Playing with toy trucks in the sand (again; if we're reading outside)
- Making a scratch art picture
- Working on Stained Glass Made Easy kits
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Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a great list of quiet time activities! I loved your reminder that while it may not look like Littles are paying attention, it's just not true. Busy hands don't mean that they are not paying attention and when we provide a way for them to expel that energy while listening also teaches valuable lessons, too.
ReplyDeleteSuch great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI suppose this is the same with me and audiobooks. hehehe I listen to them but do other things at the same time. What a great list of activities.
ReplyDelete