4Real Forums: Reading aloud and interruptions?

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Topic: Reading aloud and interruptions?

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folklaur
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Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 6:08pm \| IP Logged

Hi,

When you are reading aloud to your children, what do you do about interruptions?

I have a 7 year old who wants to comment after every paragraph. If I let him, then 4 year old little sister needs to also ( and often just repeats what older brother has just said.) The comment may or may not be about the book. (If the story has reminded him in any way of anything Bionicle-related, it will be about that.) He has mild Asperger's syndrome, so I do make some concessions for that. However, it takes forever and a day to get through a short little story. I don't want to quash his excitedness about something - but still.

How do you all handle this ( or are mine the only chidren who interrupt? Oh, please, don't say that...

)

kingvozzo
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Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 6:15pm \| IP Logged

Laura, your's are definitely NOT the only ones who interrupt!

Mine do, too. I try to keep a handle on it by asking the children if the question is about the book. If it is, I will usually answer, although often the answer is, "let's read and find out."

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aussieannie
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Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 6:18pm \| IP Logged

I think all children do it...or at least mine do!

I allow it within reason, I don't stop them altogether and that I judge at the time. If the interruptions become a litany and it stops the flow and style of the reading and I can see that other children's ability to take the story in properly is being diminished then I say, "hold on a bit, lets keep reading a bit longer." they seem happy enough with that and ask that particular child at the end, was there any more things they wished to ask.

I look at it this way, I don't want to cramp the child's ability to get more from the book if this is their way but if it is to a degree that it has cramped the other children's ability to get maximum enjoyment and understanding, then I say something.

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lapazfarm
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Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 6:52pm \| IP Logged

I usually ask them to wait until I finish a page, or whatever stopping point I feel is appropriate, then let them ask. If it is not related to the story then I just say "we can talk about that later. Right now we are reading." Usually does the trick.

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Cay Gibson
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Posted: Aug 11 2006 at 7:59pm \| IP Logged

Laura,
The others have given you great advice.

Just wanted to let you kow that mine interrupt too and I've decided that interruptions equal a curious mind and that's what we want our dc to have.

Then again, as Anne pointed out, there's something called respectfulness and attentiveness that must be learned.

I find the more read-aloud time, the less interruptions we have. The four-yr-old is so much better now but I only expect her to sit through a picture book length.

The 13 and 8-yr-old and I read the chapter book while she's playing a puzzle or playdough, coloring, or playing with the dollhouse. Sometimes she jockies her way into what she thinks is her rightful position next to me. I've tried being patient with her but sometimes she whines if the other two don't want to let her in. They're pretty good about letting her but sometimes they want to be by Momma, even at their age. As the "baby" she really thinks this spot belongs to her.

If they do allow her, she has to sit quietly or she is taken to my room to watch a video. She usually puts her head on my lap and I rub the nape of her neck. That's what works best.

I have a friend whose son has Asperger's Syndrome so I know what you're dealing with. I'm not sure your talking about chapter reads or picture books but, I'd suggest telling him that he can ask a question before you turn each page. It will still slow down the reading but will make him feel he's getting the most out of the book...and is still better than every paragraph.

With picture books it's best to point out different things and talk about the pictures before turning the page anyway.

Good luck! and, you're not alone.

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