Read Alouds

I presume that you are referring to the suggested read alouds on the SCM Curriculum guide for younger students Grade 1-4 ?

It really all depends on the child, and how much other literature he/she has been exposed to.  Also, the temperament of a child.  All my 6yo’s would have been heart broken with Black Beauty!

However, all the other titles listed I could read to my book-eating son at age 6.  My rather sensitive daughter of age 8 would really struggle to listen to some of those books.  None are ugly, they are all lovely, but some require a bit of maturity.

If you have not yet read much literature, especially books written in older English, I would suggest starting with lighter, more engaging titles.  Winnie-the-Pooh, All-of-a-kind family and Charlotte’s Web, for example make good starters.  But again, consider the child.  A boy may not like All-of-a-kind family, which is about a family of girls.

And don’t worry if the child is happy, but you wonder  if they understand the vocabulary.  My children usually figure out, I think it is called in context, what a new word means, and lone behold, they use it in their speech soon.

I will add here, that just because those are the books on the SCM guide, don’t neglect other beautiful books considered “preschool” if you have not read them to your child.  My 11yo will still listen enraptured to books such as Dogger, The Little House, Caps for sale and The Story of Ping.  Timeless classics are for all ages, in my opinion.

HTH,

Lindy