Reading Aloud – Tips and Tricks
Our family loves to read aloud. It’s an excellent form of free entertainment that we heartily recommend to everyone.
Most of our reading falls to me. As a former broadcaster with a fair amount of acting experience, I enjoy performing. Also, since reading aloud requires us to be together, and the listeners like having something to do, I manage to get out of a lot of cooking and dish washing this way!
If you don’t read aloud in your family, you ought to give it a try. It’s not hard, and doesn’t require any particular skills. You don’t have to be perfect, just consistent—the minimum requirements are that you can read and speak loudly enough to be heard by your family. So what if you stumble? Who cares if you can’t “do†voices (which I generally avoid)? All that matters is that a family voice shares a good book with the assembled listeners. The more you do it, the better you’ll become. If you can’t learn, grow and improve in the bosom of your family, where can you do so?
Some members of your family may resist group reading initially. Don’t insist on participation. Far better that it be voluntary! Gather everyone who is interested, and give it a go. Before long the reluctant ones will likely be drawn into listening in spite of their best efforts. Human beings thrive on storytelling.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while reading aloud:
- -Choose a time when you’re not likely to be interrupted, or rushed by upcoming events.
- -Make sure everyone’s comfortable.
- -It helps if everyone has a quiet activity to do while listening (hint: handheld video games and other electronic devices don’t count!).
- -Be aware that some of these activities may require occasional discussion. Don’t insist on total quiet while you read. Allow interruptions when necessary.
- -Keep an eye on your audience. Quit if someone starts to nod off.
- -Don’t overdo it! It’s easy to get carried away with the story and wear yourself out.
- -Never insist that anyone reads to the group. This is an activity people should look forward to, not dread.
- -Make sure the reader has sufficient light for the task.
Keep in mind that reading aloud is not the same as reading to yourself. It takes longer, and should be allowed to do so. Don’t rush—spend the time the book and your family deserves! Savor each phrase, reading for meaning rather than to “get through it.†Reading aloud is a leisure time activity, not a job! Relax, enjoy yourself, don’t worry about making mistakes. You’ll do just fine, and your family will love it.
photo credit
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Mark Zeiger is a regular contributor to Self Reliance Works. He and his family homestead off the grid in Southeast Alaska. Visit them at www.akzeigers.com.