I can't read aloud

[Myusernam]

Growing up my mum was an alcoholic so took zero interest in me and at school I was really badly behaved, I never paid any attention in class but I was always around the middle academically.
I've had a well paid job in oil and gas and never had any issues with my work. When I had my son I left to spend all my time with him.
Now he is 4 and I am reading slightly longer stories, I have noticed that i really struggle to read aloud. I get words mixed up and slur my words. I need to really concentrate in order to finish the story. Any ideas why this is or what I can do to improve? He doesnt even notice at this stage but he will as he gets older.

Is this just at night?

Im too tired to read to DD at night, Im much better in the morning.

Nope just in general. Even if I am trying to read a news article or something to my husband.

I'm horrible at reading out loud. Sometimes you'd think I'd never opened a book before. The kids I've nannied for think it's hilarious how jumbled up I get. I've just been referred for an inattentive ADHD assessment, so that might explain it. Even reading in my head I jump around the words. Like I expect the story to carry on being read by my brain while my eyes check out the pictures or what's coming next

It's probably because you never had much opportunity to read aloud to someone. I know you will have done it at school but without the extra input at home, it's no wonder you find it tough.

Could you practice reading aloud when no one is listening? Feels a bit daft at first but it might help you to feel more confident.

Have you had your eyes tested recently? It could be a visual thing?

I think I can read pretty fluently, my RM was an English teacher. We all mess up when reading out loud, your brain predicts what it thinks will come next. It's not just you

DM, apologies

That's exactly how I feel stegosaurus, like my eyes pick up a word in the next sentence and use that instead of the next one.
Thanks pumpkin, I'll give it a bash when I'm home alone. I dont ever want the kids to be embarrassed of me or I dont want to hinder their learning because I cant do something, if that makes sense.

Thanks neverender. I suppose I never really hear anyone else read aloud so didnt realise other people do it too.

Practice will really help.

I actually don't think many people can read well out loud until they become a parent and do it a lot or unless they are a "professional" (teacher/actor etc). It's because your eyes skip ahead if you're used to reading in your head and therefore more quickly.

Just keep doing it and you will improve.

When reading to younger kids, I try to be really animated, do lots of voices and throw in some actions, and find that keeps my words in order more. Probably not so appropriate when reading the news to DH, though!

Practice will help OP, and I’m sure your son is just happy his mum is reading to him and doesn’t worry about the occasional tongue tied moment

It might be a relief (or a worry) to hear that over nearly 20 years working in schools I would say that around 50% of the teachers I have worked with have struggled to read aloud. No problem with reading a few words from screen or planning etc as part of lesson, but as soon as they start reading the class novel they trip up every line/ every other line. Maybe it's the monotony of some of the books on the curriculum. I've found myself struggling to read at all when I'm really tired... are you tired?

I'd look on iPlayer for 'CBeebies bedtime' I think it's called. It's what used to be jackanory. See if there are any books on there that you are familiar with or that you have and get your copy out and watch and read along with the presenter and practise.

And I can pretty much guarantee that your ds will not care how good or bad at it you are. He will enjoy it anyway. I'm really good at reading stories and dh is terrible but my dc don't have a preference for me over him to read to them.

Thank you all, you really have made me feel much better.
Its probably a combination of all of the above. I'll try doing more reading to them during the day and see if that makes a difference.

I'm exactly like this too. I read aloud to my son and I make so many mistakes. I've never discussed it before as I thought it was just me!

A blank piece of paper covering the text below helps.

When reading in our heads our eyes skip about and our brains fill in the gaps (mostly)

Other times I read every word and my brain just isn't paying attention so I've no idea what I've just read.

I wonder how I function at all sometimes

I have done am dram, am a prolific reader and record for talking books, it took me a LOT of practice before I could read aloud without yawning. It was really odd but just keep at it and try not to over think it.

Try reading quite slowly at first, then gradually speed up as you get more used to it.

I love reading aloud but DH really struggles - stumbles over words, doesn't get the pacing right. He's much better if he's read a book several times and knows what's coming next.

I rarely read out loud until DC arrived but used to do lots and lots of presentations so think that helps a bit.

Try using a strip of white card to underline the line you are reading, and cover up the words ahead with your thumb. You might find that helps you to focus on the word you are reading instead of trying to skip ahead, and you should improve with practice.

practicing helps.
I get sooo involved when reading to dc (teenager now!), funny voices and all that, that I get jumbled up sometimes.
I think sometimes it's because when reading silently I read a lot faster, and reading out I can't keep up as my brain is a lot firther ahead than my speech iyswim.

This is an interesting thread.

Close family member of mine who is dyslexic can only read aloud! Is anyone else like that?

(that was a long winded way of saying: it's the reading that matters, the closeness with dc, not so much the text itself.

I think it's a skill you can learn and improve upon rather than something constant that never improves.

I worked as a Reception teacher and learned to get far better at reading aloud quite quickly once I'd got over my initial hesitation.