Do you read to your kids?
By moonmagick
@moonmagick (1458)
United States
March 29, 2007 2:15am CST
I have a 7 month old baby. He and I have been making a weekly trip to the library since he was 3 weeks old. He already recognizes books when he sees them. He has several board books and cloth books, and those are among his favorite toys. I try to read to him at least once a day, usually more. My pediatrician strongly recommends it, and now that the librarian is used to us, she just smiles and says hi to him by name when we get ready to check out. But I still remember the first time I went to the library with him. She made an off hand remark about how it was good that I wasnt leaving my older child out and I should bring them by at story time some day. I asked her what she meant by older child, as this was my only child. She said, "Oh, I just assumed that these were for an older kid at home" I told her they were for the baby. She just kind of laughed and said something about if that was what I wanted to spend my time doing, so be it, but it seemed kind of silly that early. Recently when she said hi to him and he said his own little version of hi back, which sounds something like "AY" as if he a little pirate or something, she just shook her head and said that I must have been on to something with reading to him so young, because he is awfully young to be talking, most are just babbling at this age. I just smiled and told her to have a great day. I dont know if the reading had anything to do with it or not, but I suspect it didnt hurt things. He will be 7 months in about a week and a half. He says "AY" which is hi, "Gee" which we assume is kitty, because he squeals it while chasing the cat down and or playing with his stuffed kitty, as well as "dadad" and if he is really mad or frustrated he will say "momma" Perhaps I am delusional and he isnt saying these things at all, just babbling, but complete strangers say hi back to him when he greets them first, so I dont think so. But back to my original question. Do you read to your kids? And if so, how early did you start, and do you notice a difference in them and other kids their age?
5 people like this
23 responses
@sizzle3000 (3036)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I used to read to my daughter when she was younger. Then she learned to read and she wanted to read it herself. I remember when she was about eight years old I got very sick. I was laid up because of my Asthma. She climbed into bed and read to me till I fell asleep one night. My husband thought this was so sweet of her. My daughter is now sixteen and she is still a hard core reader. She has over 250 books in her personall library.
@okiesoandso (14)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I have six children, ranging in age from 3yo to 22yo, I have read to them since infancy at least 30 minutes everyday. The two youngest are read to for at least 45 minutes daily. I believe the daily reading and having books available to "read" have caused all our children to be well-spoken and to enjoy reading. Some enjoy reading a lot more than the others but they all still frequent libraries for reading material. Reading to our children is one of the most important things we can do with our children during their developmental years.
@dragonokiefly (862)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I started reading and singing to my children before they were born. All but one have a great love for books. I think the only reason my son doesn't is because he likes to watch instead of using his imagination. All my child have larger vocabularies, when people meet my children, especially the younger ones they have a hard time believe they are that young. Even my daughter who is mentally disabled has a large vocabulary for her disablility.
@moonmagick (1458)
• United States
31 Mar 07
I do believe that any and all interaction with children at a young age makes a huge impact on them.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I started reading to my son while I was still pregnant. I read him anything and everything that I was reading, too. Well, at least if I was at home. I read him things I was reading about pregnancy online even.
He's 14 months old now and we have always read night night stories before bedtime and both naptimes.
He talks in complete sentences. By 6 months old, he could identify all three of our pets, Daddy, and Mama by saying our names. He could also say hi, go, and no.
He has a very large vocabulary now. Some of his sentences might be missing a word or two that he deems unnecessary, but he can still very plainly get his point across.
I think it has to do with me talking to him all the time. Both in reading and in other conversations.
1 person likes this
@moonmagick (1458)
• United States
31 Mar 07
We actually have added go, and hungry since I started this discussion. I think that the reading is really beneficial. And I do talk to him all the time. I have since I was pregnant. And now that I am a stay at home mom, I just chatter away to him all day long.
@phonevolts (919)
• Ireland
29 Mar 07
Yes, we read with our son since he was 6mths old. He has lots of books now, picture books, story books etc.
He loves the picture ones. These ones have help him learn different things, like bird, train, house etc.
He is always sitting on the sofa reading his books. Sometimes he gets up beside me to look at the newspaper or will pick it up himself and start looking at the pages, its so funny because the paper is nearly as big as him. lol
@silvermoonmyst (943)
• United States
29 Mar 07
Your talking to your child is helping him learn words and to speak. My son started around 5 months old with his first words. At nearly 3 now he has a larger vocabulary then most 4-5 year olds and comprehends things that a toddler shouldent. Hes very smart like that. I believe that by talking to your children often you are teaching them constantly wether they realize it or not. When they are little like that they listen and learn, then when they get older and resisit, well they still learn because it just soaks into their brains like sponges and water.
I dont activly read to my son often. But i tell him stories every day. I have many fairy tales and fables memorized and i dont have hard copies. So we tell stories. He dosent ask for pictures in a book to look at he imagines them. Ive asked him what he thinks a charcter looks like and he will describe it to you. Its really great :)
Reading is always a good thing, you are teaching them a love of learning and the written word early on in life. Thats always a good thing!
1 person likes this
@moonmagick (1458)
• United States
31 Mar 07
He does love his books. And I hope that continues later in life. He has been saying kitty and hi since he was around 5 months also. He seems to add new things every day. Its amazing how quickly they pick things up.
@dravenwriter (232)
•
30 Mar 07
I started reading to my children through my wife's belly when they were in the womb, as soon as they had developed to the point of being able to hear me.
The trend continued. We believe reading is very important for children, and the earlier you start the better. Early on, I might read one of the books I was working on aloud to the children, at that point I'm not so sure the content matters much. I would say sometime around 6 months or so we started reading children's books, the board books with just a few words and lots of colorful pictures.
My oldest son is 2 1/2 now, and he simply loves to read! He's a fireball, and one of the only times he sits still is when he's got a book in front of him. Around age 2 he started to want to read the books by himself (of course just looking at the pictures, trying to call out their names, etc.) We still read a minimum of 2 children's books before bed each night, sometimes he wants to sit in my lap and have me read it, and sometimes he wants to read it to me.
Moonmagick, do not let the naysayers dissuade you. You are engaging in a tremendously responsible and empowering activity with your child when you read to them, at any age. It will stick with them for life.
Draven the Respectful Atheist
http://dravenwriter.blogspot.com
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Okay... just go ahead and laugh now... get it out of your system. I read to all of my kids when they were in my belly. I also played music for them on headphones. I just enjoyed doing it. My kids have been read to almost the minute they popped out, literally. It's not a magic potion for creating an avid reader though, I can verify that. My oldest reads and loves reading and anything "english" oriented. My twins both really couldn't give 2 cents worth for reading and will read only when necessary. My son does read a bit more as he will pick up the paper or a fishing or hunting or skateboarding magazine. My twin daughter will pick up a magazine but normally doesn't read a ton! But I do think it made a difference in their learning ability and their vocabularies.
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
30 Mar 07
Reading is really important for our children . I can't say I am able to read everyday but yes I read to my children and the older children read to the younger children . My three year old is incredibly smart and I am not sure if the reading helped her in this area or not but my cousin who is a teacher would tell you that for sure your child is smarter just because we are taking the time to read to them and wished all parents would take the time to do this as it is highly recommended in the schools that this will help your child for when they are school age as they will understand more and will pick up on things earlier as they get used to things that are repitious and with reading they start to learn the stories and will start to recogninze the words in other books that are the same .
I do believe that your child really is trying to talk to you and think it is great that you take the time to do this with him and hey if we are wrong , then what harm was done right . Even if nothing else we are spending quality time with our children and what could be better then that :)
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
30 Mar 07
You are absolutely right reading to your baby, and I never though about it, but my son started talking at about 6 months old. Hi, Mommy up and eat were coming out of his mouth at that age. You are probably not delusional, I thought the same way, till my mother yelled at me that my son was talking.
He was seriously dyslexic, so could not read, but his spoken vocabulary at 7 was at the 12th grade level. His vocabulary at 2 included words like pacyderm, noturnal, diurnal and gestation period. In 2nd grade, the teacher laughed when in spelling, instead of the word oxygen, he tried putting oxymoron in the list.
He is still very loquacious, and I have this fear he will become a politician someday
Keep reading..you are on the right track.
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I read to all my kids from a very young age, I think it is not only good for them to learn how to enjoy books, but it is also a wonderful relaxing way to bond with your child.
My two older kids are only 17 months apart, we would climb on the bed, I would be in the middle with one child on each side and we would read together. Those kind of memories are what you are making with your baby, and he is benefiting in a lot of ways from it.
@jme9606 (38)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I've read to my baby since day one. We read before each nap and before bed time. It seems to relax him too. I also sing alot to him. He's on the go alot now, alot of times he tries to take off when I'm changing his diaper. So, I'll just sing to him. He just stares at me, taking everything in. His favorite right now is Old McDonald.
@aprilsong (1884)
• China
30 Mar 07
You are really a great mom. I have only one kid,and i remember i didn't read to him till he was1 yr old.Of course,i say many many words to him before he was 1 yr old.Like:this is apple, that is ...etc. and told him stories.But only after he got 1yr old,i read books for him.Unfortunately,there is no library in my place,but there are lots of bookstores.You know what,my son's favorite place is bookstore.When i go out with him,the first resort is the bookstore,then it is snack,the play outside.Every night,he falls into sleep in my stories.And sometimes,he dreams a dream with some story figures in it.
@tambuyat (6)
• Philippines
30 Mar 07
yes we need to read story for them..i have 3 nephews.. i read story for them.because letting them hear words will develop their sense of hearing..and we can make them smart by reading for them..we can hone their minds..as they hear our words they will mimic us..
@SilentRose19 (1733)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I read to my son since I knew I was pregnant, I read good childrens books outloud. I began to read more and more, its supposed to help them have more brain development. I also listened to classical music, and made sure that I ate all kinds of food. I still read to my son, he loves it. Having read to him, and kept reading to him has helped him learn to form new words. The most part is helping him say them, no matter how many times you have to go over it.
@fiasco007 (819)
• United States
29 Mar 07
i sure do ,i don`t have kids but i love all the kids @me end yeah i do enything for kids sp read or play ...
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
30 Mar 07
I read to my kids everyday, I started when I was pregnant. I have a 7 year old and a 7 month old, and they both get at least one book read to them everyday, oh sorry, my 7 year old has to read to me and the bub (how sweet).
They are never to young to learn, their brains are like sponges taking everything in and its great to contribute to that.
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I read to my daughter from the time she was first born. It didn't matter if the books seemed too old for her. (Dr. Seuss) She always loved it. It turned into a night time routine as she got older. She never went to bed without me reading her a book. Now that she's old enough to start reading heself she really enjoys it and loves to spend a lot of time reading.
@michelledarcy (5220)
•
29 Mar 07
I do read to my kids. I started from when they were really young babies but as they have got older I have done it more and more often. Now I always read them both a bedtime story and my 5 year old often reads to her younger sister. I also read to them whenever they ask. I used to take them to the library every week but have had to stop but will start again after easter.
My 5 year old is one of the best in her class at reading and my 2 year old is pointing at words in books and sits with them on her lap and pretends to read, she also does pretend writing too.
I am sure that reading early with your children helps all of those things, as well as the early language development.
It is never too early to start reading, even if they don't get that much from the book at first, they always benefit from the closeness you have when you read together.
You sound like a great mum, keep it up.
@houdini16409 (192)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I have read to my children I think from about 2 months on. I have always loved to read and write and I would like to pass it on to my children. I now have a two year old who absolutely loves books. I could take her to the library and we could spend the day there. She cannot read yet, but she loves to flip through the pages and point out objects that she knows. I still can read to her but her patience level is low so I need to read fast and I need to read books that have only one or two lines on a page. I think that reading is super important at this age because it helps them out so much in the long run. It prepares them for school as well as its very educational. My advice to you is to keep reading to your child as often as you can. It will make a real big difference.
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
29 Mar 07
It is never too early to read to your children. Even when my son was an infant, I mean a month old or so. I would sit by his incubator (he was a preemie) and read him books. I always did this at least once a day.
Now that he is 4 years old I read to him on the occasion that he asks during the day and always at night before bed.
Now that he is older, he select 3 books. 1 he gets to read to me. I only help him if he is really struggling. The 2nd book I read him, and the 3rd book we read together.
I think your child is talking early because of the reading that you have been doing and I think it is wonderful. Children at that young an age absorb everything from around them. They touch, taste, smell etc... your child has been listening to you and is now starting to connect your sounds with reaction. If you say HI to your neighbour your neghbour will react. Your baby notices things like this and mimics you.
