She really does, but it did take her a bit of getting used to.
Steve and I have read to Abbey since she was two days old (the day we arrived home from the hospital). Every day. Several books each day. When she first began moving around, she wouldn't sit still for a story, but we persisted (read this wonderful guest post on Kids Book Review for tips on reading to wriggly little ones!).
And it really has paid off.
Within a few months, she was asking us to read to her, and sitting down for the story.
Not long after that, she began repeating words and actions from her favourite stories - a beautiful reward for all the repetition of reading to a little one!
Now, reading stories together is a special time for us. It also brings back some wonderful memories of my childhood - every night before bed, no matter how exhausted Mum was, she would sit with me and we would read together. And now I'm creating that with my daughter - a time to disappear together in another world, sharing whatever adventure the book holds within its covers.
A time we can have some fun, ignoring the demands of the rest of the world. A time for Abbey.
And that is what reading is about, right? Aside from the educational, literacy side of things, enjoying a book is a wonderful escape and an important time away from the rush of everyday life.
So, here are my tips for reading to a baby or toddler:
- When choosing a book, don't take the target age as gospel. Abbey has heaps of books that are targeted towards 2+, 3+ and even 4+ - as long as the illustrations are interesting to them and the story isn't too long for their age, they might still love it.
- Remove distractions, turn off the television and give your child your full attention.
- Read the favourites over and over. Your little one won't be shy in requesting a story again and again. And again and again and again. And again. They love the repetition of it and they do learn a lot from that, so try to put aside your impatience and go with it.
- Lose your inhibitions - dance around, pull silly faces, do funny voices and use lots of expression (there's no need to be shy - your child won't judge you!). Kids really respond when you make things funny, and it's a great time to share a giggle together.
- Make it repetitious - have a certain action, noise or song at a particular part of a book.
- Have fun!
- Or, with a quiet bedtime story, try to have a cuddle together (although, with a little one like mine who adores her personal space, this isn't always possible!) and read a reassuring, rhythmic story.
Some favourites here are:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox
Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett
Ten in the Bed by Penny Dale
Any Spot book
Any book with photos of babies or animals (DK do some awesome books like this)
Dogs by Emily Gravett
The Wrong Book by Nick Bland
Bottoms Up by Jeanne Willis
Josephine Wants to Dance by Jackie French
I regularly update Abbey's favourite books down the sidebar on the left-hand-side, too!
Our favourite bedtime stories at the moment are:
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
Goodnight Me by Andrew Daddo
Or, for some great tips and information on reading aloud:
The Reading Bug and How To Help Your Child Catch It by Paul Jennings
Reading Magic by Mem Fox
Find out more about the Babies Love Books campaign.
And, for more information on Babies Love Books, story suggestions and ideas, check out Kids Book Review - one of my favourite websites in the world. (You can also 'like' KBR on Facebook here, and follow us on Twitter here for all the updates).
Megan
25 comments:
I've seen with my own eyes the impact that reading to young kids can have on their development, both socially and intellectually. I used to babysit for a family of 3 girls who had never been read to. They hated books and none of them could read well at all. As a result, the rest of their school work suffered hugely.
The two girls I currently nanny have been reading their whole lives. Both of them are so clever, and love just sitting on the couch and reading quietly to themselves for a good hour or two (makes my jobs a hell of a lot easier!)
A lot of people have "plans" for their future children (i.e. they won't watch TV, they'll eat home- made baby food, they'll be breastfed etc). My ONLY serious plan is to READ to my child from as early as possible. I really do think it's one of the best ways for a child to develop and learn.
Abbey is so so lucky that you and Steve have successfully shared your passion for reading with her. And you're right -- it's not just an intellectual thing, it's a way of escaping as well :)
PS Sorry for my essay of a comment. Hee hee!
x
Hi Megan,
Yes our daughter now drags out a procession of books before bedtime. Ha! But it is lovely. 'Where is the Green Sheep?' is also one of her absolute favourites at the moment. Anything Mem Fox is always a hit!
Emma
You have inspired me to be more diligent with storytime. I started reading to the children when my oldest was six months, but lately have been getting slack and haven't been reading as regularly as I would like.
Favourite books are the Pamela Allen books, Hairy Maclary books and the not-for-the-faint-of-heart: Dirty Bertie books.
It's taken until Amy is almost 4 for her to 'allow' me to read to her. She was a difficult toddler and if she didn't want me to do something, there was no way I was going to be able to. Unfortunately, reading was one of those things. For someone like me, who reads 3-4 books a week, that was heartbreaking.
However, now that Isaac is almost 18 months, he is really really interested in being read to and so, Amy doesn't want to be left out. It might have taken 4 years, but I now get to read 2-3 books a day, plus we're reading a chapter of Alice in Wonderland a day.
Yes, we love Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes too, though I can't just say it and have to sing it like Mem does!!
We've read to Riley since she was a baby too. Now she 'reads' the story to us and then we get to read it to her.
I love books and I loved reading books to one. Reading books to two was also pretty good. Reading books to three is something I need a good drink after :).
So I occassionally nip out in to the bedroom with one of them and it's gorgeous one on one time.
Yet when I nail a book they're all in to, and they crowd around me quietly, all tucked under and around my arms...it is pure delight :)
Hell, even this post made me feel warm and fuzzy - and that's just reading about it!
My fave books ever for the littlies were Brown Bear, Goodnight Moon and It's time for bed.
Lovely post xxx
I love books and I loved reading books to one. Reading books to two was also pretty good. Reading books to three is something I need a good drink after :).
So I occassionally nip out in to the bedroom with one of them and it's gorgeous one on one time.
Yet when I nail a book they're all in to, and they crowd around me quietly, all tucked under and around my arms...it is pure delight :)
Hell, even this post made me feel warm and fuzzy - and that's just reading about it!
My fave books ever for the littlies were Brown Bear, Goodnight Moon and It's time for bed.
Lovely post xxx
PS I've book marked this post. Want to go back to it often x
PS I've book marked this post. Want to go back to it often x
Those are some great book suggestions. It's always hard trying to figure out new books to purchase. We just did that and some were a success and some not so much.
Thank you!
It's so important to do this, Megan, your daughter is very lucky to have parents so committed to this. It can be hard with 4 little ones to find the energy to read to them all. I try to take every opportunity, so when one approaches me to read a book to them, I always try to say yes!
Thank you for the book suggestions.
We've read to our eldest daughter since she was born, too and she loves books. Our storytimes have taken a hiatus from time to time since our second daughter arrived and at the moment she simply wont stay still for a story. Our eldest does like to 'read' her sister a book at bed time though. I should read to them more. Thank you for reminding me.
Megan, As a speechie and a Mum of four, I can't say enough about the importance of reading to kids. I read this post last month when you wrote it and a smile spread across my face. Good on you for spreading this important message. Our kids have the same taste in books BTW.
Lovely post! I've kicked myself a few times when I call Will because it seems a little too quiet, and then I check on him and call him, and he's engrossed in a book and I've interrupted him! Love your list!
'Have fun reading the books!' Agree and agree!
Hi Megan, this is a great post and very relevant to me...my Mr.1 is 15 months and only recently is now sitting still for book time. As my second child he has not been read to as regularly as my first son (daily from birth). So felt quite bad about that as my older son loves books and I want Mr.1 to be the same.
Anyhow I am making a point of reading him at least a couple of books every day now and he shows great interest in books - even goes and gets one, toddles over to me saying 'Mama!' and holds the book out to me! I love reading books with the kids. Can't wait till Mr.1 is that little bit older so both my boys sit still together and I can read to them both.
Love your blog! Alison
Great blog! I love reading and so do my children. My 11mth old likes to hold a book now and she acts likes shes reading to me - I listen to her intently and she loves it! LOL My 7yo has the biggest collection of books and loves them. Definitely agree it is very important to read to children. Thanks for the reminder!
We love books in this house and I actually love reading Dr Suess' books, so clever! Time is made every single day here to read books. Surely there is nothing better!
I'm passionate about reading to children too! And I LOVE what you have written here Megan.
I'm another who's read to her kids from birth, and my toddler adores books ;) Is the Green Sheep not the most awesome kids book ever?? :)
Another one who read to her children from birth. I started off reading my oldest Shakespeare because I'd read somewhere that babies like rhythm and rhyme. :D
I have it on good authority (from my 7 year old) that I do "the best Lola voice" from the Charlie and Lola books - doing the crazy voices is the only way to read to your kids- I still remember my Mum, Dad, gran and Papa and their particular styles when they read to me.
I'm really trying to get my daughter more interested in books. It does take persistance but once she is familiar with a book she is more receptive. Some new books to check out in the list - thanks!
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