Can anyone else read out loud on autopilot while thinking about something else completely?

[Daisylion]

I've kind of noticed I can do this before but it became really obvious tonight when I was reading to DD. I have been reading Anne of Green Gables to my DD and really enjoying it but had a lot on my mind today and was trying to figure out some logistics about my Dad's complicated health care.

I suddenly realised I had read about 5/6 pages out loud without taking in a single word and thinking intensely about my Dad's situation the whole time.

DD is a demanding listener, so if I had stumbled or not read with my usual expression she would have said something.

I know it's common to read in your head and not take in the words if you're thinking about something else, but is it weird that I can totally compartmentalise reading out loud (a book with fairly archaic/mature language) and working out something complicated in my head at the same time?

I have no memory of what I read or what happened in the story, its as if my voice and eyes were doing the reading all by themselves and my brain was engaged elsewhere!

Just thought it was a bit freaky!

I do this.

From memory it was the only way to get through reading to 2 kids every night for 6 years

I reakised I was doing this while reading to DS the other day. What is really scary is when you do this while driving.

Yes, I'm a teacher 😉

I do this.
As pp says, essential for bedtime stories. I did the voices of all characters too, while thinking of something else entirely. I also do it while reading .

Yes I've done this many times although mainly with super simple preschool books. I suppose when reading you're only using one part of your brain, leaving the other part to either engage with the words or to wander off elsewhere.

Agree with pp about it being similar to when you drive somewhere on autopilot. Your brain is doing two different things

I can't I don't think, but then I can't read to myself while listening either, which is to do with your phonological loop and how you process language or something I think? I can't watch TV with subtitles either, I can read and understand them or watch what's happening, I can't do both. If I'm saying it out loud I have to be listening to myself, if that makes any sense, and it takes all my attention.

Yep. I do it when playing piano too, even if it’s a new piece sometimes I just get to the end and think hang on how did I get here

Yes I can do this. I remember in my degree in a psychology module, we learnt about a certain type of cognitive issue where they did this all the time, could read fluently but not retain the content. I’m dyslexic, so was my friend, we queried if this was a dyslexia thing but lecturer said no, it was specific brain injury issue.... if I definitely do it some times. I skip paragraphs too at times. It’s worse when I’m tired.

Yeah I have realised that I do this with bedtime story reading too!

Zelda I’m the opposite with subtitles, I watch with them on even though I have no hearing issues! I find the combined sensory approach means I miss less. I was also advised to record my lecture notes and listen back to myself when revising. Totally cringe worthy but it helped! I can’t read and listen to music at the same time (although I drive with the radio on unless I really need to concentrate e.g. when I’m parking).

Oh quite glad it's not just my freaky brain. It was kind of scary to have done something fairly complicated while having no conscious awareness of it!

Yes! I can do this! It’s like the bit of my brain reading out loud disconnects from my inner brain which is having a way more interesting internal day dream about something or other!