Reading Aloud Together
Choose something the person has enjoyed reading — a favourite poem, a passage from a familiar book, a newspaper article about a topic they care about — and read it aloud together. The person does not need to read themselves. Listening is enough.
Best Time
After lunch or in the early afternoon. Also works well as a calming activity before bed.
Duration
10–20 minutes
Setting
Lounge, bedroom or quiet area
What You'll Need
- A book, poem, newspaper or printed passage
- A comfortable, quiet space
- Good lighting
Preparation
- Find out what the person has enjoyed reading in the past — ask family if needed
- Choose a short passage rather than a long chapter
- Read it through yourself first so you can read it naturally
How to Do It
- 1Settle the person comfortably and let them know what you are going to read
- 2Read slowly and clearly, with expression
- 3Pause occasionally to allow the person to respond if they wish
- 4If they want to join in — reading aloud, finishing a line, commenting — welcome it
- 5Do not test comprehension or ask questions that feel like an exam
- 6End naturally when the passage is finished or when the person seems ready to stop
Adapt It
- For someone with limited concentration: choose very short passages — a single poem or a brief article
- For someone who is hard of hearing: speak clearly and directly, and sit close
- For someone who has difficulty following complex language: choose simple, familiar texts
- For someone who wants to read themselves: offer the text and support them if they lose their place
What to Notice
Observe verbal and non-verbal responses — attention, movement, conversation, recognition, relaxation, curiosity, withdrawal, choice, initiation or other individual responses.
- Does the person listen attentively?
- Do they recognise the text or the author?
- Do they respond — verbally or non-verbally — to particular passages?
- Do they seem comforted, engaged or moved?
- Is there a particular type of writing — poetry, news, fiction — that seems to matter most?
PMEE Reflection
These questions are not about scoring whether the activity was successful. They are about noticing and retaining what you observed about this person's individual response.
- 1What seemed to matter to this person?
- 2What response did I notice?
- 3What could I remember and use next time?
Avoid assuming that smiling, participating or completing an activity automatically means it was meaningful. Equally, do not assume that someone who cannot actively participate has not engaged with the experience.