By Diane Davies

1/29/2020

A Real Heartbreaker

While doing research for my blog, I came across an article titled:  10 Reasons You Should Read Aloud to Big Kids, Too!  The article included by now the familiar list:

            It’s wonderful for bonding.

   It provides positive modeling.

            It improves listening skills

            It’s a way to discover the classics.

            It helps with discussing difficult issues.

            It’s a way to introduce different genres.

            It’s a portal into your kids interests.

            It sparks curiosity and a thirst for learning.

            It builds  vocabulary.

            It improves comprehension.

The part that broke my heart was a comment from Kid, 11 years old in the comment section following the article.   It read:  Yeah I wish my Mom would do read-alouds with me still.  She reads to my 7-year-old brother before bed and sends me up to my room to read on my own.  I miss three years ago when we still read together.

That brought the tissues out for me.  Why not continue to read to older children?  Think of the adventures you can enjoy together!  Reading books on subjects or genres kids love (sci-fi, fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, graphic novels, Norse mythology, Minecraft,  whatever!) gives you something to share and discuss, while also putting you on a level playing field – rather than you always being the teacher who knows more than they do.  Hey – even at my age, I enjoy being read to!