Read-Alouds at Meal Times

I eat while others are serving the littles or take bites as I go; that part hasn’t really been an issue. With wee ones it is a little difficult because they interrupt, wanting more of something (of all things!). I try to forsee things; making sure everyone has what they need and soforth and then keeping the reading short enough such that they still have time to chat, get seconds, or what have you. It’s a time to train the older to meet the needs of the younger…quietly. I will say that the biggest interruptions are my biggest children, lol. Just this morning one got up to take her medicine and the pill did not go down smoothly. We learned that one can do these things without making a scene . If things get really out of hand, I call on an older to read aloud so I can take care of the interruption. So, it takes some logistical thought, but it is doable. It develops its own rhythm, like everything else. One downside I did notice about reading at the table is that by lunchtime people are ready to fellowship, look at their own books/magazines, stare out of the window…. So, like I said, keeping it short is best for us, and I try to not read during breakfast and lunch every day.

Blessings,

Cindy

I read during lunchtime. I eat first and then read while my kids finish. I don’t usually eat as much as my growing kids do so my portions are usually smaller, and they are slower eaters than I am.

Or, I’ll start with a short selection and then I eat while we talk about/narrate the reading. It’s not a race to eat or to read, but quite a leisurely pace. And, if I”m super hungry…the reading is set aside! 🙂

I found lunchtime a good time for artists study. It’s easy to look at and chat about a painting while eating.

It’s a very nice lunchtime routine to linger a bit at the table if we’ve finished our meals but I’m still reading. I know some parents don’t approve of reading at the table, but it’s worked really well for us at lunch.

We have used meal times for large chunks of learning for years.  My girls are now 11, 8, 5, and 1.  We do a things like art study, composer study, poet reading, Shakespeare, Bible verses and reading etc. at breakfast (I find it worth my time to make the kids  a hearty breakfast, so it takes them a little while to eat it).  Then, during lunch we’ll often do a free reading that everyone will enjoy, often something from the 8yo’s list that the 11yo will enjoy hearing again.  Or we’ll do some seasonal picture books.  Sometimes I’ll take that time to read a nature book or something relevant to a nature find from the morning.  I usually eat breakfast quickly as soon as I get up before the chaos begins and lunch after the kids begin quiet time in the afternoon.  I have found the chunks of uninterrupted (for the most part) time during meals is a really nice time for us to get some quality group time without the little ones’ endless (although well-intentioned) questions and comments, since their mouths are full.  Doesn’t work every day, but more often than not.  Good luck.