Learning on the Road: Audiobooks

Reading aloud is crazy important to us. I’ve written about it before and continue to harp on it to whoever will listen.

For us, reading aloud takes place all over. At night as the kids fall asleep, on Wednesday afternoons while they bathe after forest school and under the trees on park days. But it also happens in the car.

Audiobooks

We use a variety of apps available through our area library systems. Our favorite is Hoopla but we also use Axis 360, Libby and RBdigital. We make a reading list at the beginning of the yeae and enjoy documenting what we’re read on our playroom door. We sometimes go on rabbit trails off the list, but it grounds us. I also try to find good narrators who change their voice and speak clearly to reduce the cognitive demand on the kids. They tire easily listening to fast talkers who don’t have a clear differentiation between characters!

Radio Shows

We also have a growing list of radio shows we enjoy. One thing that really engages the kids are shows that utilize “Foley art” – the adding of realistic ambient background noises like shoes squeaking, doors closing, birds, wind and more. Right now we primarily listen to Adventures in Odyssey and GT and the Halo Express. I’ve been slowly building a collection of old radio shows, so suggestions welcome!

Learning in the go isn’t always ideal, but it doesn’t have to be boring!

♥ Tara