Now, I am not saying that I read to my child every night - I am not that good at what I do (being a mommy) yet. But I aim to, and there are reasons why I do so.
1) Find a time in your day where you always read. Some people do it before bed. This doesn't work out with our routine, because Boo is usually a fussy monster by 5:45, so we like to read after her afternoon nap.
2) Find books that have simple, bright and stimulating art. We love Eric Carle books, but there are many other good choices.
3) You don't have to read what each page says, but IF and WHEN you do, point to each word as you read it. That will get your kiddo looking at the words and putting together that those words are telling the story of the book.
4) As you are looking at each page, talk about what is going on in the pictures. Use simple language that is easy for your little book worm to understand. Point to pictures and tell your kiddo what they are.
5) Let your child hold the book. The tug-of-wars I have had over holding a book y'all.... are unreal. I don't know what it is about books but kids want to hold them, and they don't want anyone else to hold them.
6) Establish book-friendly behavior. Start with board books. These books are nearly indestructible, although never say never!!! If your youngin starts being rough with the book, tell him/her how sad that makes you that he/she is being rough with the book and tell him/her he/she can't hold the book if he/she doesn't treat the book correctly.
7) After you have had some structured time with reading the book, encourage your kiddo to look at the book by themselves. Have several sturdy books among their other toys.
awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anonymous :)
DeleteThis is something I am terrible at! Jett just loves to eat the books right now so I'm hesitant to pull them out because I want them to last until he wants to actually look at them and read them! I need to be more diligent because if this kid does not like to read I'm sure my mother will haunt me!
ReplyDeleteI'm probably not much better. We read through books and Boo bangs the books with her little hands. She does look at the pictures though. I'm hoping she enjoys it more the more we do it though!
DeleteMy mom has a picture of me eating a board book when I was about eight months old. LOL.
DeleteI have bought my daughter a book a month since I found out I was pregnant (truth be told sometimes it is more like 10 books others less.) I created a space for her with a chair, all her board books, and a toy lamp. At 16 mos old she likes to go and jus flip through her books and tell "stories." I have no idea what they are about but they seem fantastic. I have even watched her chase our poor dog around with a book until he sat and listened to her "story." I have employed many of these same tactics you posted. The only thing I might add is not to be afraid to get silly with it when you read. Make voices and faces, it makes it fun for the kid even if it is a simple counting book. If you are having a good time reading it too them they will see that reading is a fun activity.
ReplyDeleteSandra Boynton books are fun. And if you have a book chewer on your hands get cloth books to have down in their play area.
I work in a daycare and I found that for the very young children who like to chew on the books that providing them with bath books or cloth books can be helpful to. They are water proof and bouncy back but still are something they can do themselves. Hope that helps.
ReplyDelete