How many of us read aloud to our children?  I bet almost all of us do.  Reading aloud is important when a child is young to capture their interest in reading.  Mine are always pulling out books to read.  They love to hear the stories and see the pictures.  Even my nine year old loves me to read aloud.

What is the advantage of reading aloud when your child is older and can read well on their own?  Many families discontinue the practice of reading aloud.  A few years ago, I read the book 'Honey for a Child's Heart' by Gladys Hunt.  What a wonderful book.  She discusses how a family that reads aloud becomes closer and sits around and discusses the books they read all the time, instead of running off into their rooms to play video games and watch tv.  A stronger family unit gives the child an advantage over peer pressure.  Something us homeshooling mommies know well. 

I had the advantage of meeting a homeschooling mom in CA that had an 18 year old and 12 years old sons.   Her family still read aloud every day!  How wonderful is that!!  Her comment was that with so many wonderful books out there, she wanted to have someone read aloud all day long, everyday just to try to fit them all in!!

With summer here, we have fallen out of the habit of reading aloud.  Swim lessons, sports camp, lots of back and forth have kept us super busy.  My challenge is this: 15 minutes a day to read aloud.  Let me know how you did at the end of the week, what you read and a review of the book would be wonderful!!   Right now, we're reading 'The Littles'.  We actually started early last week and haven't finished it yet.  I need this challenge to keep me accountable!!  Good luck and keep me posted!!