Once upon a time, I had this idea of what our read alouds would look like. And while I have always been a huge proponent for play-based education, I didn’t really imagine play during our read-aloud time.
Instead, I pictured our family snuggled up together under a cozy blanket with a teetering tower of delicious books by our side. As I read, our home would be blanketed in silence, all would be calm. I imagined us reading for hours, my children hanging on my every word.
This, my friends, was a read aloud fantasy.
In reality, our read alouds are anything but calm and my children are anything but quiet.
My kids burn calories as I read to them.
There are endless interruptions, off-topic musings, and lots of movement.
It is important to remember that children are, by nature, active learners.
It is normal for your child to move while you read aloud.
If the endless interruptions and movement are driving you a bit bonkers (trust me, I’ve been there), it can be helpful to have a read aloud plan.
I have found that a captive, engaged audience can work wonders.
In our home, the most successful read-alouds occur during:
- Meals
- Tubs
- Car trips
- Under the covers with a flashlight
- … and during play!
Today, I’d like to talk about our most recent successful read-aloud: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
How to Make Read Alouds Memorable with Amazing Hands-On Play
*Disclosure: We received a Spielgaben set at no cost in exchange for a review. We are honored to work with Spielgaben. This post is part of a monthly series featuring how we use Spielgaben in our homeschool. All thoughts and opinions are my own. You can read my review of Spielgaben here.
Here’s another read-aloud fantasy I had: Introducing my children to the Harry Potter series.
Yeah, that didn’t happen.
While I was busy wrangling a toddler and nursing a baby, my oldest discovered the series and took off running. Later, I attempted to read the first book aloud but my oldest couldn’t contain his HP passion and interrupted incessantly and shared juicy tidbits too soon. This resulted in sibling squabbles and frustration on my part.
At some point, my daughter read the first book without me. And then my youngest did the same.
I was left in the dust, you guys.
And I get it- I do. When a series captures your heart and soul, you must run with it.
And run they have!
In fact, my oldest guy just turned ten and he had a Harry Potter-themed birthday party.
It was absolutely magical, and it inspired a renewed obsession (is that even possible??) with all things Harry Potter.
I still have that fantasy of reading the series with my children. And so I decided to capitalize on this renewed obsession by suggesting a new family tradition: Harry Hour.
Doesn’t an hour of Harry Potter sound absolutely delicious? Thankfully, my kids thought so, too!
A few times each week, we drop everything and listen to HP on audible.
It has been magical for this mama. It’s one of those times when you just know that you are making memories.
Lately, we’ve been listening to Harry in our playroom. This has inspired fantastic read-aloud play using our Spielgaben set. Sometimes children surprise us with the most wonderful experiences!
(If you love Spielgaben, stay tuned. There is a special offer for My Little Poppies readers later in this post!)
Harry Potter read-aloud play
When it comes to hands-on play in our house, it usually involves either a board game or our beloved Spielgaben set. Today, I’d like to share some of the fantastic Harry Potter Spielgaben creations that my kiddos have made!
Allowing my children to play and create as we listen to Harry Potter together has made for a fun and peaceful experience.
From left to right: Flying key; Harry Potter and Voldermort’s battle
Here are a few of my 10-year-old’s creations:
From left to right: Gryffindor sword, Basilisk, and Quidditch
And here are several of my 8-year-old’s creations:
From left to right: Troll, Aragog, and Ron with Scabbers
And, finally, here are a few of my 6-year-old’s creations:
From left to right: Dementor with Sorcerer’s Stone, Hagrid, and a golden snitch
I highly suggest Harry Hour. I know that this will be something our family will remember for years to come. Sometimes, you just get that feeling.
I’m glad I didn’t give up on this one particular read-aloud fantasy!
If you are interested in gameschooling with Harry Potter…
I have the perfect post for you!!
… also check out these resources:
A special Spielgaben offer for My Little Poppies readers…
Learn more about Spielgaben
You are invited to read other Spielgaben posts in this series:
- Using Spielgaben in Your Homeschool
- Create Your Own Fidget Factory Using Spielgaben
- Super-Simple Hands-On Flag Study
- Hands-On Animal Study with Spielgaben
- Study the Four Seasons with Books, Play, and Spielgaben
- A Simple World Monuments Study with Books, Games, and Spielgaben!
- Challenge Kids to Get Creative with Awesome Homemade Games
- Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Play and an Incredible Book
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Do you love children’s books?
Be sure to follow My Little Poppies because we share snapshots of our homeschool day… and heaps of fantastic books!
You are also invited to join the {Virtual} Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, a private Facebook Group for parents who love to read fantastic books to their children… and chat about them!
Caitlin, I’ve been a regular follower of your blog (and The Homeschool Sister’s Podcast) for over a year and let me tell you – my homeschooling life is the better for it. I’ve bought so many of the games that you’ve posted about…checked out oodles of books from your lists. For all the work you’ve done in advance to make my homeschool prep so much easier – I thank you! 🙂
This was the sweetest message to wake up to this morning. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it. I am so happy the site and podcast have helped you. We have a new episode coming out next week! 🙂