My husband just finished reading The Hobbit to our children, who are barely 8 and 4. I’m not sharing this to gloat. Well, maybe just a little.
It is not the first chapter book we’ve read to them. We began when my son was a baby, snuggled up next to me on his sister's bed, (age 5 at the time), while I read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
As my son grew, we continued the habit of reading chapter books, even through the squirmy toddler years. We travelled through The Chronicles of Narnia, thoroughly enjoyed all things Kate DiCamillo, and are now reading Harry Potter.
And yes, my kids sit still for these readings. For the most part.
We have our arsenal of tricks.
Many parents may be scared off by the prospect of reading chapter books to their children, especially between the squirmy ages of 3 and 4. If you are game to give it a go, grab one of these ideas, and get reading:!
- Open a Bedtime Café: In our cafe, I make up a wacky name, introduce myself, welcome the kids (who are weary from traveling and have stopped in the café for a nosh) to my Bedtime Café, take their order (yummy steamed milk with a hint of gingerbread syrup, and a bedtime snack are the house specialties), and then read to them while they snack and fill their bellies with warm milk.
- Use Quiet Manipulatives: Let the kids sit on the floor and listen while building with lego’s or blocks. Have paper and crayons at the ready so they can draw while you read.
- Cast Roles: In the case of Harry Potter, my daughter decides whose dialogue she will read. Some nights, she becomes Harry. Other nights, she performs as Hermione.
- Let someone else do the talking: Long car rides? Scratchy throat? Just had a hard day? How about a book on tape? They can be checked out at the local library for free. On a car trip, rather than listening to anything HS Musical for the umteenth time, pop in a book.
- Don't tackle War and Peace. If Little House on the Prairie overwhelms you, try a shorter chapter book to begin. Reading aloud chapter books such as The Magic Treehouse series, The Boxcar Children, and Ramona, will help build the habit of listening.
What amazing chapter books have you read with your children? And just how in the world did you get them to sit still without the benefit of photo's or illustrations?
Photo by Tom (hmm a rosa tint)
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These are some great hints. I love reading to my children, we have such a good time. We have not done it as much with long books though since we have had the baby (but she is one now), because she is so busy. She won't cuddle – she loves to squirm. But she plays happily in her playpen now for longer stretches so this gives me some inspiration to start whipping out some of the longer books again for the older children.
Reading has such a special place in my heart I have written a couple of blog posts on it. Check out my post on instilling the reading habit in your children if you're interested (click my name for a direct link).
THanks, Taylor! Will check out your site!!!!!!!!!
Love these hints! They take me back to those wonderful years of reading to little ones. My 16yo and 18yo are *still* always up for a good read aloud!
I've been looking for some short chapter books to read to my 3 yr old and 4 yr old. I'd love to hear some suggestions!
chubbacoo, why not try the Narnia series? This is where we started (my son was 3) and there are plenty of editions that actually have amazing illustrations to help drive the story for you. You can also check it out on cd from the library for the days when you need another reader to take over for you.
Charlotte's web would be another good one.
I have been choosing chapter books that have been made into films . . . you can read and then have a movie night!
Enjoy!