""Reading is an exercise in empathy, an exercise in walking in someone else's shoes for a while." -- Malorie Blackman"
The Surprising Power Of Reading Aloud
Reading books and texts has been a vital human activity. But most of us read to ourselves silently, in hushed corners, or have abandoned the reading of books to a large extent. This week we invite you to take a different route -- that of reading text out loud. A pertinent ancient practice, reading aloud helps in calming our breathing, make sense of intricate issues, and sharpen memory and focus.
Even more so, reading aloud to someone is a form of gift of our time and attention, which is known to also augment emotional bonding. Sharing of human voice through such activities creates a base for transformation in an intimate and embodied sense. Many faith traditions also practice reading of liturgical texts and prayers aloud, collective recitation of chants and singing of hymns -- to deepen the learning for the reciter. Even young children read aloud in school to foster learning. Benefits run across age segments, not limited to young ones in classrooms.
We propose that reading out loud can give way to a creative and focused setting for children and adults to come together, and grow their relationship. As you read this week's article, think about incorporating reading books aloud as an activity with your family, friends and children. Note down the insights you gather from this experience, how does it feel to you.
Even more so, reading aloud to someone is a form of gift of our time and attention, which is known to also augment emotional bonding. Sharing of human voice through such activities creates a base for transformation in an intimate and embodied sense. Many faith traditions also practice reading of liturgical texts and prayers aloud, collective recitation of chants and singing of hymns -- to deepen the learning for the reciter. Even young children read aloud in school to foster learning. Benefits run across age segments, not limited to young ones in classrooms.
We propose that reading out loud can give way to a creative and focused setting for children and adults to come together, and grow their relationship. As you read this week's article, think about incorporating reading books aloud as an activity with your family, friends and children. Note down the insights you gather from this experience, how does it feel to you.
Reading Corner
Kindful Kids Editors
Title: The Listening Walk
Author: Paul Showers
Illustrator: Aliki
Ages: 8 and up
"When the senses are stimulated, our brains become more alert, and we are better able to direct and sustain focus. Paul Shower’s Listening Walk is an old favorite of ours, as it inspires kids and adults to take walks, slowing down to really listen to the sounds around us. By doing so, we also take in a broad range of sights, smells and other sensations. Given the everyday setting in the book, you don’t need to be in a national forest to go on a listening walk. Read this often enough—you might just make listening walks a part of your regular routine too!" -- A review by Tinkergarten
Author: Paul Showers
Illustrator: Aliki
Ages: 8 and up
"When the senses are stimulated, our brains become more alert, and we are better able to direct and sustain focus. Paul Shower’s Listening Walk is an old favorite of ours, as it inspires kids and adults to take walks, slowing down to really listen to the sounds around us. By doing so, we also take in a broad range of sights, smells and other sensations. Given the everyday setting in the book, you don’t need to be in a national forest to go on a listening walk. Read this often enough—you might just make listening walks a part of your regular routine too!" -- A review by Tinkergarten
Be the Change
We hope you will enjoy these two activities:
1) Plan a 30-min read out loud session with kids around you. Reading aloud helps build memory, fosters better understanding of complex texts and calms our breathing. We see it as an act of care. Consider volunteering with a local school, library, or orphanage where you can gift your time and voice to read books to young children.
2) Organise a listening walk with children in your family or classroom. Invite the group to walk silently while letting the different sounds rest on your ears.
1) Plan a 30-min read out loud session with kids around you. Reading aloud helps build memory, fosters better understanding of complex texts and calms our breathing. We see it as an act of care. Consider volunteering with a local school, library, or orphanage where you can gift your time and voice to read books to young children.
2) Organise a listening walk with children in your family or classroom. Invite the group to walk silently while letting the different sounds rest on your ears.
