Silent Reading

Enjoy the silence!

ADDED August 14, 2009

With kids on summer break, sometimes the afternoons can get a bit rowdy. When it gets too rowdy, I think everyone needs to take a break. If your kids are like mine and no longer take naps, maybe a little silent reading time is what everybody needs. It is a perfect way to settle everyone down so you can get dinner made, fold some laundry, or just have a silent reading time of your own.

Here is how we do silent reading. Feel free to make up you own rules, but this is what works for us.

First of all, at my house the activity is called silent reading, so there is no talking. Secondly, each person will need a back-up book -- that is, a book that a kid can read if they finish their first book. This cuts down on talking. Third, silent reading has a time-limit. Time is accurately monitored by a timer that will beep when silent reading is over. Finally, wherever a kid is in the house when silent-reading starts, they need to stay there until silent reading ends.

I know it sounds like these rules were made by a dictator, but I have found that if everyone knows the rules before we start reading, a lot more reading happens, and a lot less time searching for a loophole.

Also, if silent reading is not something for your family, try "room time," or "yard time," or any of the other great activities here at TIF!

Happy weekend!