Skip to main content

Reading Between the Pixels


At my last trip to the public library, I found a DVD of children's stories being read aloud. A story we just read, The Man Who Walked Between the Towers was featured. Having been only four years old when Phillipe Petit made his daring walk between the Twin Towers, I was not familiar with the story. After reading the book, our whole family was intrigued by this stunt. I snatched up the DVD and surprised the kids with it.

We ended up watching this particular DVD at least two times. There are three other stories after The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. There are several reasons why I liked this DVD. As the narrator read the story, the words were highlighted on the screen. The camera panned over the illustrated pictures throughout the book. There were no added caricatures or moving parts. The focus was on the words and pictures and not on added frills and thrills.

At some point, I realized Ben was still hanging with us. Usually, our family movie nights are interrupted by Ben leaving the room because he is not interested in what we are watching. He crawls to his room and waits while I turn on something he enjoys.

The next story on this DVD was about Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, another remarkable true story beginning in the late 1850's in London. Once again Ben showed continued interest in the story.

Now I have another new mission in life - find more of these kinds of DVDs for Ben to watch. My mom reminded me that there are free websites with books being read aloud. Ben's computer now has Internet so last night I set him up on his bed, and together we watched Arthur, The Lady with the Alligator Purse, Edward and the Pirate and a few more.

Of course there is no substitute to reading to your children, and I intend to continue doing so with Ben. This, however; opens up a new avenue for Ben to learn. Ben's latest IEP is more challenging, with goals that both surprise and excite me. If they are raising the bar at school, we need to do so at home.

Once I started looking, I found so many sites for books being read aloud. Some are homemade and some are professional. It will depend on what your child likes. Here are a few of the sites I found:

Magic Keys
Storyline
Elementary Books
Just Books Read Aloud - No frills, but also no ads or distractions.
Storynory
Pinterest Books Read Aloud

There are some websites that require the child to touch the screen or use a mouse for each word to be read. Depending on your child's level of development, there are options for more challenging and interactive reading. Feel free to send more sites my way so I can post for others to see.


And if Phillipe Petit's story touched you, here's a bonus:
Signature photo

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Impromptu Pet Therapy

  Ben met Doodle today. One of the staff at his day program brought him in. Ben loves dogs and these photos made my day. 

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities

  "Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities" is a series on eSpeciallyBen. As Ben approached 18, it was clear our role changed as parents. We needed to help Ben transition into adulthood. These stories are meant to assist other families who face, or will face, some of the same challenges. Talking About the Future Guest Post - Matt Wilson Legal Guardianship, Medicaid and SSI Researching Group Homes Questions to Ask at a Group Home Visit Referral Packet for Group Homes Getting Assistance from a Care Manager From Group Home Placement to Discharge Reaching for Independence

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities: Talking About the Future

Ben in the middle with Dad (left), Carla Payne with Aging Care Matters and Mom This is the first of several posts about parenting an adult child with a disability. Ben will be 19 this summer; I am learning along the way. As always, I hope to pass on resources and wisdom. Discuss the future.  If your adult child is able to participate in planning for their future, ask them how they envision it. Let them draw a picture. Ask them to tell you a story. Maybe they can sign a few words that mean a lot to them. Find a way to get them involved. How do they see themselves living? By themselves, in a group home, with another family or with a sibling? Where do they want to live? In another city, in an apartment, in a house? How far away do they want to live from family? What level of independence can they handle? Do they want someone to check in on them? Do they want to find a job? Do they need a job coach or supportive employment? Who will help them with their finances? Is there someone they tru