Ep. 9 - The Science of Attachment: Reading Aloud is Key

90-Minute School Day

Delve into the world of neurobiology and attachment, exploring the profound impact reading aloud has on relational synchronicity. Reading aloud activates the whole brain and grows our collective cognitive and emotional empathy.

This episode closes our series on reading aloud. The other episodes in the series are:

Episode 7, "If You Do Nothing Else, Read Aloud," and Episode 8, "Read Aloud with Neurodivergence."

In this episode you will learn:

The Concept of Reading Aloud and Attachment

Relational Safety is a Basic Need

Development and Anatomy of the Brain

Where Language is Processed in the Brain: Analytic and Gestalt Processors.

Brain Functions and Attachment

Left Brain:

• Linear, Logic, Language
• Words, Symbols, Rules
• Parts to Whole
• Abstract Thinking
• Patterns – looks for order in chaos and fits into a linear story

Right Brain:

• Relational, Big Picture, Emotion
• Images + experience
• Whole to part
• Concrete Thinking: Memories, Connection with body – Sensory system (autobiographical)
• Stories stick because they are imbedded in an image

Reading Aloud as a Whole Brain Activity

Story

Karema Akilah, a fellow homeschooling mom and self-directed education thought leader, shares a favorite memory and read aloud with us that includes a challenge to living life without school.

Mindset Moment

Resources and Support

Join us regularly for more insights into homeschooling strategies.

Subscribe, share, and remember – as homeschooling parents, you’re shaping a relational family culture that celebrates curiosity, connection, and the joy of learning. ✨

• Share your homeschool with this community! Be featured on the podcast by recording your story, struggle or asking your question here.
• Grab our family’s read aloud list to find your next great read.
• Kelly offers one-on-one coaching and a self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
• Join the waitlist for Guide Training™, a live group learning environment of homeschool parents, I guide you so you can guide them. In this program we go deep, build our invisible toolkit and make new friends. It’s only offered twice a year.
• Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™ here.
• Connect with featured mom, Karema here.

Citations:

1. Article - Understanding Unconscious Bias
2. Dr. Allan Schore – Annals of General Psychiatry
3. Study - Conscious processing of narrative stimuli synchronizes heart rate between individuals
4. Article - Is Your Child A Gestalt Processor?
5. Dr. Dan Siegel - The Whole Brain Child
6. Huberman Lab Podcast – Science of Social Bonding in Family, Friendship & Romantic Love

I’d love to connect with you personally too: find me on Instagram!

You’re doing a great job, let’s make it easier!

Kelly