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Activities during read-alouds

Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

Tagged: attention

This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 11 months ago by Tristan.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

Author
Posts
June 14, 2019 at 2:26 pm
wideeyed21
Participant
Though I am new to the Charlotte Mason method, we have read books aloud as a regular part of our schooling. Per the advice of read-aloud enthusiasts, I have allowed and even encouraged the children to color or draw during my reading. But now that I am trying to instill the habit of attention in my children, should I still allow them to do these types of activities during read-aloud time?
June 15, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Mandi
Participant
I have found that even when my kids are quietly doing something, they are still engaged in the story. At various stages of their development they have had various levels of activity, some preferring to quietly play, draw, build legos, etc. I can even remember when my now 14 year old boy was about 5 he would be active, yet he was completely engaged in the story. I think it would have been negative for both of us had I tried to force him to sit still. Just my 2 cents.
June 18, 2019 at 1:09 pm
Tristan
Participant
Different kids will handle this differently – for many it is a help to have something to do while listening. There are the occasional kids who totally tune in to what they are doing so much that they tune out the read aloud. You’ll know because they won’t be able to narrate, or follow the storyline. And sometimes it is just a matter of finding something these kids can do that doesn’t have them tune out the read aloud. For example I have one who can build with legos and listen, but if they draw they tune out the reading.