It feels like I have been reading aloud forever but I suppose it's only been about 24 years, although the early years was only picture books not novels! I was giving this some thought the other day after I had been reading to the children and amongst my musings was the following observation.
For those of you homeschooling and using either Charlotte Mason or Steiner, you may find this encouraging, especially if your child 'resists' retelling in a formal manner. I know CM uses narration as part of the curriculum and I also know that sometimes it can be hard to get a narration out of a reluctant child. This year we are using Christopherus and Donna uses the word 'review' to reinforce the child's previous days lesson.
From the time I started reading chapter books to my children, I have always asked them for a recap of the previous days chapters. This was done in a completely natural way with no pressure on any of the children. We would settle in comfortably for the days read aloud and I'd open the book to the next chapter and ask, "So what happened yesterday?" And without any dilemmas, one of them would pipe up with what ever had made an impression on them. The next child would add some more and someone else would put in the extras. It was often not necessarily in the order of how it had been written, and sometimes when they were little I had to give them prompts to refresh their memory. I'm sure it was all done in such a manner that they often thought, "Poor Mum has forgotten the story - so we'd better tell her how it went!" These days, if I forget to ask what happened yesterday, someone will always let me know anyway!
Now they are older - and some of them are old enough that I don't read just to them - they still listen in and ask me to read a certain book to the younger ones....... and then hang around as often as they can to listen! At the moment we are reading 'The King of Irelands Son' and although it's meant for my 9 year old, the older three (11, 13, 16!) are keen to be around too!
This may not be how Charlotte Mason meant her narrations to be but it's worked really well for us and has happened in a completely natural and delight directed way. Of course, you don't have to be home educating to read to your child, because all of them benefit from both reading and retelling.
Disclaimer : I'm not an expert by any stretch of the word but I do love reading aloud to my children and this has worked well for us :o)
This may not be how Charlotte Mason meant her narrations to be but it's worked really well for us and has happened in a completely natural and delight directed way. Of course, you don't have to be home educating to read to your child, because all of them benefit from both reading and retelling.
Disclaimer : I'm not an expert by any stretch of the word but I do love reading aloud to my children and this has worked well for us :o)
i think it's lovely how reading time goes in your home, you've made it natural and interesting and that keeps it open for children to stay and listen.
ReplyDeletewhen mine were young, we used to have a house in mexico for summer and holidays and there was no electricty. after reading to the younger ones by candlelight, one time i chose a book for the older kids. it had been some years since they'd been read to and they thought i was losing it. but they lay in the dark and listened. you can probably guess how thrilled i was when the next day as dusk fell, they asked if i would be reading again tonight. that was the summer of treasure island, and the start of reading aloud again. :)
I just think it is so important to read aloud to children as well as told made up stories. I love the way you got the children to give you a recap of previous chapters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori ann - I've had that happen just today when Mr 16 asked if I was reading aloud and could I do it when he was able to listen in!! It is lovely to know that the older ones still get a thrill out of something that we think only the littles will enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAnd Kate you are so right about made up stories although I'm not as good with that as I should/could be!!