by Louise Black
A revolution has begun to take root among families who long for stronger connections in our increasingly busy, self-absorbed and disconnected lives. One of its unassuming leaders is “Read Aloud Revival” founder, podcast host and best-selling author, Sarah Mackenzie. In her new book, The Read Aloud Family, she describes how reading aloud, even after our kids are able to read well by themselves, is “one of the best ways to be fully present” with our children.
I had the opportunity to speak with this mother-of-six whose movement began with the question, “How do we create lasting, beautiful relationships with our kids?” Her revival proposes a wildly uncomplicated way to achieve this “deep heart’s longing.” It turns out connecting with our kids is as easy as ABC – “literally.” Remember when bonding with your child was as simple as reading a great storybook before bedtime? Turns out, it’s still that simple.
Even when my girls began to read on their own, they still wanted me to read to them. Back then, I believed the grade school goal of reading aloud was to improve fluency and move toward independence. I read them the first Harry Potter book, hoping it would be so amazing that they’d be desperate for more and pick up the rest on their own. But it was better than that – it was so amazing that all three of us were desperate for more – we read all 4000+ pages curled up together. It took well over a year and was something we looked forward to every night. During this literary odyssey we laughed, cried and had some of the most heartfelt conversations about good, evil, friendships, romance and more. Reading aloud brought us closer together.
The Read Aloud Revival has put a name to the delight I stumbled upon in those middle elementary years. Sarah Mackenzie provides encouragement, support, research and resources for parents who want to connect with their kids from birth though high school.
School is where most of our children learn to read. Ironically, Mackenzie points out, school is also where they learn to not want to read. When children are young, reading means snuggling with mom or dad, sharing a story. Once they are able to read alone, those experiences taper off and are replaced by reading for school.
As Mackenzie puts it, “by Middle School…reading is work.” By high school, the average student reads for pleasure just 6 minutes a day. Reading aloud has the power to combat the downward trend in reading among kids of all ages. Because their listening comprehension is better than their reading comprehension, students can be exposed to deeper ideas and more advanced vocabulary.
A “Read Aloud Family,” can create a “book club culture at home” by sharing great stories and discussing them informally. As a byproduct, the children are developing more sophisticated language patterns, comprehension, empathy, critical thinking, a love of reading, and even better test scores. Sarah recognizes that it seems “too easy and delightful to count.” In her book she muses that if there were a pill that could deliver all the benefits of reading aloud, parents would be lining up to buy a bottle. What good news that this old remedy is free, effective and making a comeback with kids of all ages.
To really get the Read Aloud Revival (RAR) experience, begin by visiting www.readaloudrevival.com. Here, families can access more than 100 podcasts featuring Sarah and her guest writers, illustrators and educators, as well as the blog that began her movement.
Drawing from her years of research, interviews, and personal experience, Sarah was willing to answer a few questions that still lingered for me: “Is it cheating to read school assignments aloud with your child?” “No – reading aloud could actually be preferred. Let’s flip the paradigm that reading to yourself is a higher intellectual exercise. (When you read aloud) the child is actively engaged with the story and content.”
“Hawaii has the highest proportion of non-English speakers in the nation. Should families shy away from reading aloud if they can’t read in English?” “You have to think through the goal. The most important (reason to read aloud) is to connect with our children, to create those shared memories. Share stories and talk with your kids in whatever language you do that in best.”
How can we help a child to love reading when we can’t erase the connection between reading and school? “When reading at home together, make sure the experience is full of delight – funny just for the heck of it. You can control how you interact with your child about books and aim for delight infused reading.”
This is Hawaii after all, any tips for reading to kids at the beach? “Usually, I like to bring my own book – I mean, you can’t really compete with the ocean. But the best way to read aloud (on location) is to do it when they have to sit still anyway – while they are eating!”
My oldest started high school in August. In less than four years my first baby will technically be old enough to leave home, vote, marry, join the military and otherwise experience adulthood. These are my final years to nurture her; to build childhood memories; to ensure that the foundation my husband and I have provided leave her feeling loved, heard and prepared for the road ahead. The other three aren’t far behind. I’m going to read aloud for as long as they will let me.
Together we can tackle big questions, or chuckle at little jokes. We can slip inside the minds of a thousand heroes and grow braver by the chapter. We can wrestle with ideas that might be hard to bring up in normal conversation but seem safe with a book for our springboard. I can’t always be with them, but they’ll carry the memories, laughter and life-lessons of our shared stories with them wherever they go.
I’m grateful that Read Aloud Revival has given us a place for support, ideas and inspiration on our journey. In a day and age where families are drifting apart because of busy schedules and distracting technology, the simple act of reading together is nothing short of revolutionary. There has never been a better time to join the movement!