"See Mickey. He has an apple. Can you say apple?" I said as I pointed out the apple in the book I was reading to my six-month-old nephew.
"How did you learn to do that?" his mother interrupted.
"How did I learn to do what?"
"Read to him like that," she said, waiting for wisdom from on high.
Until that point, I’d never really thought about this infant activity. I had read to my three children since they were babies. Now they were reading to me. Indeed, popular children's books are their most treasured possessions. Frankly, I don’t have the directions to the magical fount of such knowledge —- perhaps this normal baby activity comes with experience. However, I can share some tricks of the trade that helped me when my readers were infants.
Once Upon a Time...
Reading to your baby is important because it fosters a love of books and language. This love of reading is one of the most precious gifts you can give your children. Knowing how to read is required for day-to-day survival. Loving to read will open up new worlds for them.
Through reading, your children can visit people in different lands, fight fire-breathing dragons to save the Royal Princess, or learn how to build the perfect windmill. The possibilities are endless. Even so, fostering a love of reading requires a bit of work on your part.
- Choose comfortable reading spots. Find several places in your home that will entice you to read to your baby—-one in the living or family room, and one in your child’s room.
- A favorite armchair, rocker, or other cozy spot that fits the two of you is ideal.
- Make sure the location is well lit.
- Stash a few books nearby and perhaps a soft blanket and favorite stuffed friend.
- As your baby snuggles with you, the warm, cuddly feeling he gets will be connected with books. This will grow into a love of reading.
- Read to your child on a regular basis. Storytime plays an important role in introducing children to the magic of books.
- Although it is never too late to start, ideally we should begin reading books to our children when they are very small-—before they can walk and talk. As babies, children enjoy books with bright pictures and simple text.
- Also good are books that are lyrical, like nursery rhymes or books by Dr. Seuss (my favorite is "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?"). While babies cannot yet understand all they hear, they do enjoy the rhythm of the words and begin to develop a love of language.
- Reading to a child in the first year also fosters a close, loving relationship between parent and child.