Burgess books on CD...good idea or not

[Tracee]

We've had a hard time fitting in the Burgess storytime to our school day, and I was thinking of buying some of the books on CD and allowing the children to listen to the story that way. We have some down time after the kids have taken a bath, and I'm cooking dinner, and I thought it would be a great time to listen to a story.

My ds has dyslexia, because of an auditory processing disorder, and it's sometimes difficult for him to follow along only by listening. He is definitely a visual learner, but he is doing awesome with the Family Time Bible.

Do you think it would be better if I read the story, or do you think listening on CD would be alright?


Thanks,
Tracy

[my3sons]

I think it would probably be better for you to read it and let him follow along in the book as you do. The Storytime in LHFHG is a stepping stone to the longer, more challenging books used in the Storytime in Beyond Little Hearts. While listening to audio books is actually a very good additional learning thing to do if dc follow along in the books, because it's with LHFHG and because there is just something about sitting right next to mom as she's reading that seems to command better attention skills (something about proximity I guess! ), I think I'd take time to read it to him. The Storytime readings in LHFHG should take about 5 minutes, and then it is important to do the follow-up within the box after that, but that takes only about 5 minutes too. I see you are busy with twins too - do you think you could do this while they have a mid-morning snack, and ds can have his snack with them after sitting with you on the couch and doing the follow-up? It seems like that personal attention with him would help, especially since you mentioned his auditory processing. Just an idea! Another option would be to alternate the two - you read one day, he listens to the audio the next - but, I honestly still think it would be best to read it with him personally. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[raceNzanesmom]

I agree with Julie. We often read the Burgess books (and others) over breakfast, snack, before bed, etc.

[Tracee]

Thanks Julie. Believe it or not, I never even thought of reading it to him alone. At breakfast I usually read the Bible/History portion to all three of them, and that is going great. But, when I try to have everyone sit down and listen to the Burgess books, they are extremely distracted. I'm going to try reading it to him alone. Thanks again .

[my3sons]

Oh good - well, that will be an extra special time for ds, and I bet he'll be able to focus better that way too! My almost 4 yo is a mega-distraction for my older dc, so he is not able to be right there when we are reading things they must truly focus their attention upon carefully. He doesn't mind - he's usually playing or off with my other ds anyway, which he loves! I bet your twins would play together too and have some fun learning that independence while you work with ds. There are more Burgess books, just in case they're as big of a hit with your ds as they were with our 2 sons. When we finished LHFHG, my dc begged me to first give them the Burgess books to reread on their own, and then eventually to get MORE of them! Happy reading!

In Christ,
Julie

[mrsrandolph]

I have a son with Auditory Processing issues as well. So, I feel your pain (so to speak).

I have had great success with using the Storytime block at bedtime. It is a great time for bonding and attentive listening. It also seems less like "school". I write the questions I am supposed to focus on for that reading on a post-it and place it in the book, so I know when to ask for narration or whatever the storytime block calls for.

This has become *such* a sweet time for our family that Dad even joins us now.

My best to you!

BTW- I agree that you should read it. No one knows our kids like us, and we can offer those needed pauses and slow down sections that might otherwise be missed by our learners with special auditory needs.