Reading Aloud to Wiggly Children
Have you ever said, “Are you listening?” while reading aloud to your child? Oh, I have. Reading aloud to wiggling children can become exasperating. What worked for me just might work for you.
Before I discovered what learning styles are, my daughter drove me crazy! She always seemed disinterested and fidgety during reading time. I was so wrong. She was listening and was even able to narrate back to me what I had read.
This is a common occurrence when parents do not possess the same learning style as their child’s; especially when the parent is a textbook and school-at-home type of learner. It takes patience and understanding to embrace how a wiggly child learns. I wish I had known about learning styles before I began homeschooling. It would have helped lessen my frustration and helped me be more accepting of how my daughter learns best.
So, what can you do as mom of a wiggly child? First read about learning styles. Second, give your child constructive tasks to do during reading time. Drawing a picture or creating an object with Sculpey clay (or something similar) about the story allows him or her to focus his or her energy on something positive. Third, have your child narrate to you about the story. These three things will help you know your wiggly child is indeed listening. This will then result in a fun reading experience for both of you.
Blessings,
Angie’s eBook, Educate the Home Educator Crash Course, explains learning styles and how you can determine which style you and your child possess.
