Why read aloud to kids who can read themselves? It’s a fair question. Not many of us remember parents or teachers reading to us once we were old enough to read on our own.But the benefits of reading aloud to kids who are old enough to read themselves are numerous. That’s what we’re tackling in this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.In this episode, you’ll hear:5 major benefits to reading aloud to kids who can read themselvesHow reading together can help us connect during challenging timesWhy experts agree that reading aloud is an absolute game changer when it comes to academicsFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/why/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

In today’s episode, I’m answering several of your questions about audio books for kids. Let’s talk favorite narrators, whether audio books hold you children back from learning to read on their own, and more.In this episode, you’ll hear:how to choose winning narratorswhether it’s holding our kids back to let them listen to lots of audiohow I handle books in a serieswhether or not to assign books during quiet reading timewhen your husband is not a big readerFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/156/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

In today’s episode, I’m answering your questions – from reading to separate age groups and how to make time for that (!), to what to do if summer reading programs make your kids want to read LESS…In this episode, you’ll hear:when summer reading programs aren’t usefulhow to handle a drop in comprehension when kids start reading longer booksideas for easy chapter bookshow to make time for reading aloud when your kids want to be outside all dayfavorite fairy-tale-esque book recommendationsreading aloud to different age groupsFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/155/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

We know that we want our kids to love to read. And it’s important (really important!) to give them the best chance fall in love with books. That’s why so many of us get worried when we have a child who doesn’t love reading. It’s a valid worry. What can be done about it? On today’s episode of the podcast, I share ideas for what to do when your child doesn’t love reading. We can’t exactly make our kids into readers, but we can give them the best chance possible that they’ll become readers for life. And it’s a lot of fun to do so!In this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing simple tips to help your kids become voracious readers, and why the single most important part of your child’s school day is free, voluntary reading. In this episode, you’ll hear:Why free, voluntary reading is the power player in your child’s reading lifeThoughts from experts in the field on building lifelong readersHow to help our kids choose books they’ll loveI also answer a listener question about what to do if your child is intimidated by lots of words on the page.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/154/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the woman who recently faced the daunting challenge of updating Jim Trelease’s much beloved Read-Aloud Handbook.Cyndi Giorgis takes us behind the scenes of updating The Read-Aloud Handbook, and some of the interesting (and most surprising!) bits what she learned during the process.In this episode, you’ll hear:what’s in the Read-Aloud Handbook‘s whole new chapter (it’s a good one)updates about audiobooks and other technologythe most important thing Cyndi learned in her research about reading aloudI also answer a listener question about the best picture book treasuries to invest in right now.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/153/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Being stuck at home is getting old fast, but finishing the school year doesn’t need to be a slog.We’ve heard you loud and clear: it’s really, really hard to concentrate on homeschooling right now. And we all want to finish the school year strong, right? On today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m sharing something brand new that I am over-the-moon excited about: a workshop series we’re calling WOW: Writers on Writing. This workshop series will help you spice up your home learning and finish your school year well.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/152/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

When is a story worth telling? And why are the best stories in history seen through the lens of a single human being? We’re diving into those questions to day with one of the most talented and effervescent authors I know: Barb Rosenstock.I recommend every single one of Barb’s picture book biographies. Listen to this episode and you’ll know why. You’ll find links to her books at the bottom of this post.In this episode, you’ll hear:the magic of “So what?”… just wait till you hear her talk about this!why Barb and Charlotte Mason could be friends (and she didn’t even know it!)how Barb researches her books and lands on stories she wants to tellI also answer a listener question about gift book ideas for teachers.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/151/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Did you know that when you plant bamboo, you will water it, protect it, nurture it…and nothing happens for 5 years? At least it looks like nothing is happening, because it’s all happening underground, where the bamboo is growing a complex root structure.But above ground? Nothin’. You’ve got to faithfully water and care for that plant for f-i-v-e years before you get any proof that you’re making any progress.Homeschooling is a lot like bamboo.In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m sharing the audio from a recent Circle with Sarah (our monthly coaching sessions in RAR Premium) in which I’m talking about this same experience in homeschooling.You work, and you work, and you work, and you can’t always see the difference that slog is making. But the seeming dormancy? It matters.In this episode, you’ll hear:The power of one small action – it can change everythingHow to be sure we are using the right measuring stick (…are you?)How to know where to put your energy nextI also answer a listener question about what to do if you cry while reading emotional books aloud. (anybody? 🙋🏼‍♀️)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/150/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

If you have a gifted, twice-exceptional, or advanced reader, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Leaners. A gifted specialist and mother of her own gifted and twice-exceptional kids, Colleen understands the challenges of connecting advanced readers with books…… and the challenges that arise when your advanced reader can read anything, but isn’t emotionally ready to have free reign at the library.In this episode, you’ll hear:what to do when your kids can read “older” books, when you know they aren’t ready for the contentBook recommendations that feature gifted or twice-exceptional kidsThe answer to whether your child can read too much (we know… it sounds like a good problem to have, but it can be a struggle!)I also answer two listener questions about finding books for sensitive kids, and great book series for young, voracious readers.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/149/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

I’ve got a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast for you, and it’s a good one. In this episode, you’ll hear:Which 3 books I’d bring with me to a desert island 🏝 (it was torture to answer this listener question!)Whether or not we use reading curriculum at our house 🤓 (and what I recommend)The skinny on what we’re reading aloud this spring at RAR (our book choices are just 😍 – scroll down to see what I mean)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/148/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!