How do you get through so many read-alouds with your kids? How do they sit still chapter after chapter? That's probably one of the top questions I receive each time I post about reading aloud. If you have been for a while, you are probably aware of all the benefits of reading aloud, even to older kids-tweens and teens!-but maybe struggle with the attention part. I understand! When mine were little, snacks were a big draw. That's how #snacksandstories was created and note that it doesn't always have to be food: a cup of tea or cocoa works just as well. But as they grew, the snack part was quickly over, and their bodies needed to move more. Also the books I was now reading had little to no illustrations as they were more chapter book style. So I started to experiment with a few things and these have worked wonders:

1) Change locations. It doesn't have to be the table. We often start there just because I usually have a cup of coffee in hand (LOL) but oftentimes it's the coach or our outdoor patio or the floor. A picnic blanket is so fun when the weather is warm, and during our snowy winter months, nothing is better than bringing pillows by the fire.

2) Keep those hands busy! I have a highly kinetic crew and the mere act of rolling out clay, felting, whittling, etc helps their brains actually focus better. I mean, who just wants to stare at the reader for about 30 minutes? :) I have a special set of handicrafts that only come out during #readalouds. Caveat: if you do this, be sure to have introduced them to these beforehand so that you aren't trying to teach them something new at the same time you read aloud. I've done it before and spoiler: tears and frustration all around. In this pic, my oldest is doing a sticker book, my middle is felting and my youngest is making owls out of art clay. Neither of them did these things for the first time during a read-aloud! It's only when I see their confidence in a handicraft grow does it move to a read-aloud bin!

3) Know your audience: some days mine can sit for a good 30-60 minutes, other days they are just more antsy or tired so I wrap it up after 15 minutes. I never want it to seem like a chore...we are using several books with our BraveWriter curriculum this year so there are some I am more aware of a timeline but I'm not stressed...I know that planning 30 min a day isn't feasible...so just keeping in mind that 15 min one day means that I'll get through more on the days when their minds/bodies are more open to it.

4) Audiobooks: We usually save those for road trips but I know that many families love them, and that allows an adult to get things done during the reading! I personally enjoying reading a book with them but again, the point is hearing a book read aloud, whether it's from you or a narrator!

5) A picture book is a great palate cleanser! My youngest is 8 so she still loves picture books but my 11 and 13 year olds never complain when I bring them out! Before delving into a chapter book, I still sometimes add 1 or 2 picture books to the pile. It's a good way to bring in seasonal favorites or if you are homeschooling, one that you are needing to read anyway (we currently doing an Around the World with picture books with @beautifulfeet or thematic (there are great nonfiction picture books for Women's History Month, etc).

I've added a few of our favorite handicrafts here. My kids are between 8-13 so keep that in mind, but I added a few examples of what worked when they were younger too! And note that many of them make great holiday presents or stocking stuffers!