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I can’t tell you how many times I have begun to write about the Your Baby Can Read Program….and stopped. If you could see the drafts in my dashboard or the notes in my ideas pad, you’d see. Not many of us could have missed the commercials showing months-old babies ‘reading’ or rather, what seemed to me more like spitting out the words printed on flash cards. I’ve seen the ads in reputed magazines and websites and have wondered, more than once, among other things, if the program really could be what it claims. An effective, scientifically designed approach to teaching babies as young as 6, 8 or 10 months old to READ.
Somehow, I myself was never drawn to trying it, just as I was never drawn to Baby Einstein DVDs, when it came to my daughter. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about the fact that you could sit your child down in front of a screen and expect her to learn, interact and expand her mind did not quite seem right. Besides, I wasn’t even sure I was comfortable with watching babies…infants really…READING! I mean, the commercials were impressive – they actually showed you little ones recognizing words with as many as ten letters on sight. And although I marveled at a program that could accomplish this, I wasn’t sure if the babies should even be working on ‘reading’ from flash cards at that age. I wasn’t sure how or why the program worked and what kind of long term effects it may have on young minds. Besides, both Baby Einstein and Your Baby Can Read seemed to encourage at least some screen time – which again, did not sound like good advice to me.
Since I wasn’t really sure about how I felt about the program and whether I wanted to recommend it or was even willing to try it, I never really got around to publishing those blog posts in draft mode. However, I just came across this article, courtesy of Karen Nemeth, @KarenNemethEdM and realized that my uneasiness wasn’t unfounded after all.
Watchdog Group Cries “Foul” On Early Reading Program
It turns out that the same watchdog group that successfully campaigned against the way Baby Einstein DVDs were marketed as educational tools, has now filed a complaint against Your Baby Can Read as well. They’re now saying that this program is not just ineffective and a false ploy to get parents to shell out money but also that it may actually be doing more harm than good to young minds.
Is The Thrill Of Word Recognition The Same As The Joy of Reading?
I am no scientist nor early childhood learning expert. But, as a regular ol’ mom raising a regular ol’ baby who didn’t and couldn’t read when she was 10 months old, I can tell you that this exact thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion. Even as I was flabbergasted that a child so young could recognize words, I was also pained to see little kids who in my view should have been exploring picture books and playing peek-a-boo on their parents’ laps were in fact being trained to do something that seemed unnatural for their age. Sure, it was great that they were ‘reading’ so young, but what good could that possibly achieve? How could the ability to recognize words that they probably didn’t even understand help expand their vocabulary or language learning? I had no answers, but every time I came across the program, I did have more questions. For me and so many parents I know, reading to our kids is a pleasure, a source of relaxation and an experience of pure joy. Exploring books – whether they’re picture books, comics, Mother Goose rhymes or a bilingual storybook – with my daughter is something I love doing, probably as much or even more than she does. And it is that anticipation of joy and the unique bonding experience that makes me pick up a book to read to my daughter each time – not the hope that maybe she will begin to read before she is supposed to, developmentally speaking. Sure, I point to words and pictures and label them. Sure, like every other kid, she pretends she can read, even though we both know she’s repeating from memory. And yes, now that she’s inching towards her 5th bday, she does show interest in letters and letter combinations and the sounds they make – yes, she’s actually begun to learn to ‘read’ – as is appropriate for her age. Sure, now that she appears to show interest and seems to have the ability to recognize and sound out letters and words, I’m paying more attention to the way we read and what we read, so she has more opportunities to build on her new found skill. But, not once throughout this process of reading to my daughter over the past 4+ years have I ever felt the need, inclination or pressure to coax her to begin ‘reading’ before she was ready to. So, I guess the biggest question on my mind regarding the Your Baby Can Read program is the motivation behind it itself. Why? Why would parents want their babies to begin reading even before they could talk, stand or sit up on their own? What could possibly be so appealing about a program that trains babies to do something they will eventually do in a few years’ time anyway? Why was it so important to teach babies to read when they could have been spending that time engaged in finger play or story time instead? Ok, so your baby can read, but why do you want her to?
Milestones In Minutes?
I’m not sure how scientific the Your Baby Can Read program is or whether this campaign will be successful as the earlier one – but what I do want to explore is, why are we in such a hurry to ‘teach’ our babies a skill that they are bound to pick up anyway when they are ready. With time flying as it does and the universal acknowledgment of the fact that childhood years pass by far too quickly, how is it that some of us are willing and eager to cut them short even further?
Of course, since I have never tried the program and know little about how it actually works, I would love to hear from someone who has tried it and has an opinion to share. Have you tried Read to Your Baby with your child or know someone who has? Please jump in and leave your comments. Would love to hear from you and understand your views from the perspective of a parent who has actually seen the product at work.
As for me – although the day my daughter begins to read independently will be a proud one for me, I’m pretty sure not all my tears that day will be those of joy. There surely will be a tear or two lamenting the fact that my daughter won’t need me to read to her any more! But, boy will I be glad I had some 4+ years to get there and not mere months.
What’s your take on Read to Your Baby or, for that matter, any program that accelerates development of any kind in kids. Is it worth getting them to master a skill or reach a milestone ahead of time so they can be better prepared to meet the challenges of a competitive world or would you rather let them be kids for as long as possible?
Better late than never – Now Published:
Pursuing the Bilingual Edge: Teaching Children a Second Language
On Parent USA City.
I wrote a piece on Raising Bilingual Children a while ago, which was focused on children growing up in bilingual families and the benefits they reap from the exposure to two or more languages. The editor then suggested I write a follow-up piece highlighting how English-only families could give their children the bilingual edge. I had the opportunity to interact with some amazing, passionate people whose inputs made this article possible.
If you have views on bilingualism, raising children in a multilingual environment or thoughts on the challenges and benefits it poses, please do share them in the comments.
Bilingualism – The Gift You Owe Your Child
And the balance tips towards bilingualism yet again – did you catch this recent NPR story on bilingualism and brain power?
If not, check it out – very much worth a quick listen(or quicker read)
Being Bilingual May Boost Your Brain Power
It may not come as a surprise to you if you already have some exposure to a bilingual environment. However, not all of us feel as confident as the parents in this story about our choice to raise our children to be bilingual and a little reassurance is never a bad thing.
All the more reason to read to your child everyday in not one, but two or more languages, if you can. All the more reason to have conversations in your mother tongue when you are surrounded by family. All the more reason to reinforce your native tongue at home – trusting, believing that your child will slowly but surely pick up the dominant language(English, in most cases) when she eventually goes to school, even if you find yourself wondering if you shouldn’t introduce her to it sooner. Now more than ever, it’s official and the evidence is mounting – if you have the ability and resources to provide your child a bilingual environment, and especially if you yourself have the advantage of knowing two or more languages, you owe it to your child to raise her bilingually.
Do it for her brain. Do it for her soul. Do it to keep a language alive.
Until next time,
Read with love.
Read everyday.
Find something to read in every language you know and share it with your child today.
A tribute to Amar Chitra Katha Creator Anant Pai
A few days ago, the world experienced a sad loss – a legend who had touched millions of young lives, sparked their imagination, entered our homes and entertained, educated and enriched us and will continue to for generations to come, passed away. He was a man whose creation touches and inspires my 4 year old, and which will forever be among the favorite collections of many a child who is introduced to the enchanting world of Amar Chitra Katha.
 Amar Chitra Katha Comics We lost Shri Anant Pai, lovingly known as Uncle Pai, the man and legend behind Amar Chitra Katha on Feb 24 2011.
It’s not everyday that you associate comic books with education, rich vocabulary or early literacy. And not just anyone can pull off what this man and his comic book series managed to. If someone had said that comic books had the potential to rekindle interest in an ancient culture, its history, mythology and more, few would have believed it. Some would have scoffed at the idea. Or ignored it. And yet, book after book, page after vivid page, tale after fascinating tale – that’s exactly what Amar Chitra Katha comics manage to do. Uncle Pai believed that a child who was proud of his heritage and roots would grow up to be a confident citizen. ” A tree is only as strong as its roots,” was his strong belief and it is this vision that we see woven into every ACK book.
From the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata to the more intricate stories that they’re made up of, from the enthralling tales of the Dashavataras and stories of Shiva, Hanuman, Krishna to those of Indian freedom fighters, rulers and spiritual leaders such as Swami Vivekananda and Emperor Ashoka – Amar Chitra Katha spans the gamut of stalwarts, heroes and legends who shaped the country and the culture of its people.
To anyone new to Indian culture, heritage or history, a crash course will not be complete without including Amar Chitra Katha as required reading. For children, as young as 2, the books provide a stimulating introduction to India’s vibrant mythology. ACK comics are the easiest way to coax older, reluctant readers towards print.
As children, my brother and I devoured the comics come Sunday afternoons or summer vacations. They kept us company on 3-day long cross country train rides. I remember packing them up, tattered as they were, into an old trunk and hoisting it up into the attic just before my brother left home for college. Years of reading and re-reading hadn’t diluted our interest in them. Not for a moment did we contemplate discarding the priceless comics. The vivid illustrations and captivating dialogues continued to fascinate and enthrall us long after we had ‘outgrown’ them.
 Picture Books From India Any parent will tell you that there’s not much that will hold the attention of a pre-schooler for more than 30 minutes, unless a moving screen is involved. Today, as I watch my 4 ½ year old daughter turn the pages of an Amar Chitra Katha, deeply engrossed in the story, oblivious to happenings around her – I find myself thanking Mr. Pai for his wonderful gift and legacy. For when you see your child walking past the TV to reach for one of her Amar Chitra Katha comics to keep herself engaged for the next half hour or so, you know there’s something right about it.
Thank you, Amar Chitra Katha. Thank you, Shri Anant Pai. Your legacy lives on in the curious minds and eager hands of children around the world.
Sunday Feb 27
It’s close to midnight and I was just about ready to turn in – fully aware that I had let yet another week go by without an update to my blog. I don’t particularly like the neglect babylovesbooks is undergoing in my hands, but let me spare you, one of my four or so readers – of my guilt pangs. What matters is, just as I was about to drift off to sleep, I realized that this and the past few weeks had actually provided so much material for this blog. I’d shared so many incredible, wonderful reading moments with my daughter and let them slip by without being recorded here. Determined not to let this weekend get by without acknowledging them and expressing my appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to read to M – here goes…what we’ve been reading recently -
* Hanuman’s Ramayan: The story of Ramayan is not new to anyone with connections to India, but this is a delightful, truly refreshing tale you’ve got to share with your tot, nevertheless. Everyone who’s heard about or read any version of Ramayan is aware that the Sage Valmiki wrote the beautiful epic poem that is known in every corner of the world today. However, did you know that there was a much more eloquent version of the story written by none other than Ram’s greatest and most beloved devotees? When and why did Hanuman write the Ramayan? Why did it bother Valmiki so much? And what happened to it? Discover answers to these and other questions and explore a range of human emotions with your child as you turn the pages of this enchanting book from Tulika. Jealousy, pride, ego, humility, sacrifice and truth weave through the illustrations and words in this book that opened M’s eyes to a whole other dimension to the now familiar Ramayana.
* Hallmark Recordable Storybook: I tried the first of these as a gift for a friend’s child a few weeks ago and loved everything about it – the idea, the sheer brilliance of the imaginative thought behind it, the simplicity of use and the ease of personalization that makes this a unique, meaningful gift for newborns, kids, parents, grandparents, cousins and just about anyone you can imagine that would appreciate a loved one reading to them. More recently, I got another one for my own little tyke and another one for her friend. Both girls loved it almost instantly. Imagine the delight and surprise of a child who receives a storybook that unfolds itself in a loved one’s own voice. It’s like having your personal story teller by your side any time of the day and night – and which child, or adult for that matter wouldn’t want that? I’m surprised this idea and gift hasn’t caught on with more people and kids – or have I just not met too many people that appreciate and love it as much as I do? Or maybe it’s an old idea that I am one of the last to discover…whatever the case, I sure am glad I stumbled upon it and I can assure you – every kid, expecting mom or new parent I know will be receiving this from me at some point of time in the near future.
Price: About $30.00
How to use: Every page has a rec and stop button – all you have to do is press the rec button as you read each page. When you’re done, you can set the Rec mode to Lock with a simple maneuver so your voice isn’t accidentally wiped out. But, if you do want to re-record, just switch back the latch to unlock and start over.
Disadvantage: It can get a little tricky initially- there seems to be certain position which works for the recording best – usually when the book is laid flat on a table. Also, I found that sometimes it’s better to start from the last page and work backwards when recording…if you have trouble recording your book, try this method.
Books we liked in this series: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, My Little Princess
Roald Dahl Collection: OK. I will admit that I’m not a big fan of this celebrated author. Never have been. In fact, other than The Chocolate Factory and Matilda, I can’t say I’ve heard of any of his books. So, when M’s 2010 holiday gifts included a collection of Roald Dahl books, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I was delighted to have the opportunity to expose her to an author who was considered one of the world’s best story tellers. On the other hand – how would my own feelings for the author and his style come to bear on my sharing the books with her? I didn’t care much for the black humor and sardonic style he infused into his writing – I personally don’t think black humor should have any place in children’s literature. Especially of the kind that is a hallmark of some of his stories like The Twits. But…since it was a gift and since I didn’t want to deprive M of something just because I didn’t like it – I ended up reading to her from the collection. And was not prepared for her reaction – she actually loves the stories…black humor and all! Hmm..so much for me being an influence on her! My 4-year old daughter likes gory stuff. There. And to this date, I won’t as much as read a review of a horror movie or book. So, maybe, his writing does have something to attract kids and spark their imagination and who am I to deny my daughter that joy? Black humor or not. Maybe. I’ll give him another shot. Only if I can keep my eyes open.
Water Stories From Around The World: Another gem from Tulika. Explore the many interpretations, stories, myths, legends, beliefs, problems, concerns and challenges surrounding one of the most precious and deceptively abundant resources on our planet. This would make an excellent candidate for reading requirement lists for elementary and middle schools. Truly refreshing to the last drop. And so many teachable moments. The book is drenched in legends, myths, oral traditions and cultural beliefs about water from places like India, Spain, Nigeria, Greece and Australia among others.
Other books we read recently include – The Little Red Hen, Stella – Queen of Snow and a pile of books on Dr. Martin Luther Kind Jr and other African Ameracan Achievers – thanks to a school project M was assigned. It was fun going back to the library for ‘reference’ and checking out all these books, sharing them with M, picking out information she could absorb, reflect on and communicate to her class. It would have been so much easier and quicker to compile Google search results for her but this was way more fun! Another Tulika treasure we loved was The Veena Player.
Wednesday Mar 2
Today is Read Across America Day and I had to stop myself from procrastinating any longer and go ahead and hit publish on this post. But not before telling you what a marvelous week I’m having with M – re-discovering Dr. Seuss’s One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish! As with his other books, this one didn’t become a big hit with M instantly. It grew on her gradually and now, after our official 2345th reading of the book, I can declare it’s among her favorites and I’m so glad we read it at least 4 times just this week, without even realizing that Dr. Seuss’s birthday is Mar 2!! Also? I’ve been having way too much fun reading Mrs. Piggle Wiggle’s Farm to my Power Lunch pal J, the past few weeks and I think I almost said, “Better call Mrs. Piggle Wiggle” on a couple of occasions when kids I knew weren’t at their best behavior! What a riot of a book ! Better read it to your tots today!!
And on that note of gratitude and contentment for having books in my life and the opportunity to share them with my bundle of infinite joy – I sign off. Until next time, happy reading to you and yours!
So, what have you been reading with your kids? I’m dying to know…
Reading To Older Kids
Does this parenting paradox seem familiar -
When you’re reading to your newborn, her only reaction to yours sincere reading attempts is an impatient wail or a few generous ounces of drool and you can’t wait for her to grow up a little so you can actually tell if she’s paying attention and comprehending. You may even picture getting her to interact and repeat phrases after you as a pre-schooler. But, by the time your child is older and capable of all of the above – it’s quite likely she’s also no longer a helpless newborn but a stubborn little imp in a hurry to grow up, make her own decisions and in no way interested in cuddling up with you and a book. Also? You may actually barely find the time to read to her uninterrupted, amidst school, karate, soccer practice, music lessons, temper tantrums, bedtime struggles and play dates. Reading to an active pre-schooler can be very enjoyable and rewarding - IF, like everything else, you can manage to squeeze it into your schedule and manage to wiggle out of her mood swings. Thankfully, this stage of parenting is as unpredictable and mind boggling as every other stage so far – so, you’re not likely to ever see a boring day. Keeping all the unpredictability and wonderful craziness in mind, here are some time tested tips – collected, compiled and currently being tested by yours truly, of course, with a 63.97% of success so far in making reading time appear out of thin air, with a pre schooler on the prowl for action.
How to Make Time to Read to Growing Baby:
* Make reading to your child a priority: Obvious isn’t it? The truth is none of us ever find the time to do everything we want. Not even super-moms and dads. But, guess what? We always manage time to do the things we really want to. Be it watching TV, posting Facebook updates, working out, gossipping with a friend over phone or even working two jobs. If it’s important to us – we make time appear. So, if you’re not finding enough time to read to your kids everyday, it just means that it does’t feature in your list of priorities. Happens in our house more times a week than I care to admit. Not a day goes by when I don’t cook, eat, catch up on emails or sleep. But quite a few of them slip by without me reading with my daughter – even though I count it among the most enoyable experiences. Why? Because, reading aloud obviously takes a back seat to those other activities, as much as I hate to say it. And so, unless I consciously make an effort to rectify the situation and tell myself that I can get to my emails or the kitchen sink after I’ve read to her and she’s in bed, I will most likley miss an opportunity to read to my baby. If this is happening to you, maybe it’s time to remind yourself of how important it is to read aloud to kids everyday. Put reading time in your daily calendar on on a sticky reminder on your fridge, anything to help you prioritize this priceless activity that you probably won’t have the opportunity to do everyday a few years down the line. The emails and gossip will still be there.
* Set aside smaller chunks of time: It’s fantastic if you can read 30 mins at a stretch every day as recommended. But, if you’re like most lesser mortals, juggling work, chores, grocery shopping, cooking, arguments, your other kids, spouse and your own exhaustion every day – you probably don’t get the fantasy 30 min chunk every day or even once a week. That shouldn’t stop you however. Nobody said that you couldn’t read for a shorter duration if that’s all you have. How about reading for 5 minutes everyday as soon as you’ve given your child a bath? And then 10 mins before bed time. Maybe 5 minutes at the dinner table after everyone’s finished eating. Breaking up reading time into smaller chunks helps you get in more book time, without making it seem overwhelming or impossible to accomodate into your schedule. You might also notice that your pre schooler is more alert and attentive.
* Use any available opportuntiy, anywhere: You know that perfect moment…when all your chores are done, your house is spotless, your kids have finished homework, brushed their teeth and are in bed 30 mins early, waiting for you to read? Probably not going to happen unless you’re in a 50’s movie. Does this mean we can never find the perfect opportunity to read to our kids? Not necessarily. Here’s the good thing about reading – any time, any place is perfect for sharing books in some way. Be it while waiting in line somewhere or when you’re doing laundry or are on an airplane – any time when your hands, eyes and mind are free for a few minutes – is a perfect time to read aloud. Even if you get through only one paragraph or page, it’s still time well spent. It may be your best shot at perfection and it’s not too bad.
* Use audio help: Who says you have to do all the reading? Audio books and CDs that accompany books make acceptable subsititues for a parent reading aloud on occasions that you just can’t make it. They’re perfect to engage kids in a car or when you’re on a trip away from your kids, or when you have a deadline looming and can’t fit reading to your child into your schedule. Stock up on a few of these to use sparingly on days like these.
* Read from memory: And who says you actually have to have a book to read? When you’re stuck in traffic or are waiting in line, try recollecting the lines from a book you read recently..enlist your kids’ help - you’d be surprised how much they remember. Even if you don’t rememeber every line, together, I bet you’ll be able to recall most of the pages from a book if you’ve read it a handful of times.
* Take reading baths, drives, walks: Reading to kids doesn’t always have to be an exclusive activity. Combine it something you do everyday anyway. Have a stash of books readily available in the bathroom, car, near the front door, in your bag. If you’re not the one doing the driving, why not spend the few minutes enroute to school or the grocery store reading to your child? Read from a favorite book while your preschooler splashes around in the tub. Turn any and every opportunity into a reading opportunity.
* Talk about books: When you’re not reading, talk about what you’re reading. Discuss the books you’ve read recently or something you came across or a book that you plan to check out from the library soon. Has a book recently won an award? Was a children’s book author mentioned in the newspaper? Is there a book signing happening in your neighborhood? What did you think of a particular character in a book you read recently? Reinforce your child’s love of and interest in reading by talking about books.
* Think ‘Beyond Books’ -maps sign boards, greeting cards etc: If it seems hard to hold your pre schooler’s interest merely with books, mix it up a little. Fish out an old atlas, maps, greeting cards, comic books, magazines, CD or DVD covers and start reading. Point out billboards, road and retail signs while driving. It helps to remember that reading is more than putting together words and sounding out alphabets. Funny how making connections with the printed world expands our horizons beyond them.
Is sharing books with your older child becoming a challenge? How are you dealing with it?
Treat your teeny Valentines to sweet and silly stories!
Here’s wishing you a Happy Reading Weekend,
M’s Mom.
If finding age-appropriate, vocabulary-enriching, imagination-sparking, attention-grabbing books to read to your child isn’t your cup of tea, there’s good news. For those of us with not enough time or talent to pick out the best books for our little ones, help comes in the form of children’s literature awards.
The American Library Association recently announced the youth media award winners – prominent among which are Newbery and Caldecott Medals, that recognize the authors and artists with ‘most distinguished contributions to American children’s books’. This year’s Newberry Medal winner is Clare Vanderpool, author of Moon over Manifest, while Philip and Erin Stead won the Caldecott Medal for A Sick Day for Amos McGee. I am yet to lay my hands on either – although I think the latter is what will be more age-appropriate for M. These are not the only awards in this category though – just the most well known. One look at the list of awards and past winners introduces you to many wonderful books, authors and artists you may or may not have come across earlier. I, for one, haven’t read many of these and didn’t even know about these awards until a few years ago when I began to hunt for good books to read to my baby. I guess, that may be true for most people who didn’t spend their childhood in America and who didn’t necessarily have access to these specific set of books over the years.
Now that I do have easy access to most of them online or via my local library or bookstore, I’m really excited to be discovering this whole new world of award-winning children’s books with M. I guess, in a way, it’s like revisiting childhood and making up for some of the experiences one may have missed out on. So, if you didn’t grow up reading Newberry and Caldecott winners (or, like me – hadn’t heard of them before), what are you waiting for? Now is your chance to explore a whole new world of children’s books handpicked for their creativity, rich vocabulary, artistic excellence, originality and their potential to spark imagination. I know I could definitely use a generous dose of those…and if it means hours of reading to my daughter – why, that’s win-win-win all the way!
Regardless of whether or not you get to devour these award-winners any time soon, at least, now you know that there’s an easy answer to the question – what should I read to my child?
Related posts:
Best Baby Books – What to Look For
Baby Books For Your Bundle of Energy
When I’m Feeling – Picture Books
Please indulge me this seemingly off-topic post. I assure you it has everything to do with reading to babies.
Sound…
…was the first and all pervading element in the universe. Not sound, per se, but vibrations. Rishis( ancient sages) in deep meditation absorbed and experienced that omnipresent vibration otherwise known as the Supreme Creation, Creator, God, Genesis etc…it doesn’t matter what we call it or how we have come to know it. What matters is that whatever it was/is/will be, manifested itself as a universal, eternal vibration…or sound, in the simplest sense.
In ancient India there was a practice founded on this primary source of knowledge, centred around teaching and learning using Sound. Emphasis was placed on imparting education through sound and repetition, often on a one-to-one basis. No writing was involved. Just listening, absorbing, assimilating, repeating what was learned, memorizing and going back to listening some more.
Fast forward a few thousand years. There may be a lot of different opinions on parenting, but if there’s one thing modern day parenting gurus and books agree on, it’s this - babies begin to learn by listening. It’s the very first sense they develop, when they’re still in the womb. In the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu demonstrated it. Modern research proves it. You and I experience it.
Naturally, there’s more to reading to your baby from an early stage than first meets the eye.
If sound has such a powerful and far-reaching impact on young ones, even those in the womb, imagine the kind of influence that reading to your baby from early on, every day is likely to have. To listen and learn. It’s as if that’s exactly what babies are designed for. Most babies don’t begin to see clearly and differentiate colors, shapes and forms until they’re a few weeks old but they can hear from within the womb. They can identify and distinguish voices and familiar sounds even before they’re born.
Reading to your baby is about putting this fundamental truth to work …you’re tapping into the inborn potential of your child, her ability to hear, by reading to her. The way learning happened in ancient times. Millions of words, thousands of texts, poetry and prose on subjects ranging from trigonometry to philosophy have been transmitted for generations using the oral tradition. Not a single tree cut, not one forest wasted to store these gazillions of terabytes of knowledge for many, many generations.
The power of sound and the capacity to learn by listening are probably why your child can repeat a tune, a jingle or a phrase in a flash or identify a voice over the phone, memorize facts faster when repeated aloud…and…why she can ‘read’ a book from memory well before she can actually sound out letters or identify them.
Reading to babies has a positive impact on their emotions, memory retention, vocabulary, language skills, communication skills, confidence levels – not to mention their intelligence.
Reading to your baby may be one of those aspects of early childhood that shapes her personality, interests, self esteem, world view, comprehension power and just about everything else that matters. The beauty and power of reading to a child lies not in sounding out words or in making sense of them, but in the fact that you’re going back to the very beginning – is it surprising then, that this experience holds the key to the life that follows?
I leave you with a message I need to remind myself of ever so often -
Read lovingly,
read often,
read what matters,
read something inspiring,
read to your child. Every day.
A post on Raising Kids to Value Money written by yours truly appeared on Ask Aimy recently. Do check it out and share your thoughts. What are your ideas for raising prudent kids in an age of instant gratification, when Splurge, not Save seems to be the mantra?
Also, am looking for children’s books and picture books on the topic, so if you know of any please share in the comments.
Picked up some old favorites and found a few new ones at the library last week.
The Library Dragon; Carmen Agra Deedy & Michael P. White; Peachtree Publishers, Ltd:
Have read this before with M and the book is just as entertaining the second time around. Also, M is a little older now and can understand it in newer ways. What do you think happens when the new librarian at a school is a real dragon…a fire-breathing, spiky-clawed creature who takes her job of guarding books way too seariously? Meet Ms. Lotta Scales, The Library Dragon. We don’t come across hilariously silly dark humor like this in children’s picture books too often, so don’t miss it.
Tidy Titch; Pat Hutchins: Titch’s tidy room inspires his older siblings to clean up their messy spaces. All seems to be going well until Titch takes a fancy to their hand-me-down toys and books. He ends up with not just their stuff, but also their mess. A simple, light-hearted tale sure to make you and your tot smile as you watch the mess shift from one room to another as you turn the pages. A situation M is very familiar with, which made the book all the more enjoyable.
The Trouble with Elephants; Chris Riddel: Elephants and huge and heavy and when you have one for a pet, you face all sorts of troubles. From bathtub water spilling over to all your covers being pulled away. But the real trouble is how easily they find their way into your heart. Like the Elephant and Piggie series, this book is a super choice for young babies and tots with its contrasting images, simple illustrations and minimal text. That doesn’t mean 4-year olds won’t enjoy it just as much though. Older kids who get the pictorial humor are sure to love this book even though it doesn’t have a plot or even a storyline. The pages sprinkled with rofl illustrations more than make up for it.
Five Little Ducks; Mary Gruetzke, Ivan Bates: Another long-time favorite that M picked out for yet another read. Everyone knows how great this book is for introducing numbers and counting concepts with repetition to little ones. But, it’s also a sweet tale of baby ducks reuniting with Mommy duck at the end of the day – a wonderful bedtime choice to relieve separation anxiety in your pre-schooler or to read to kids before you leave on a business trip. Also? Don’t miss the little details in the illustrations…look closely at what each distratced duck who doesn’t return home on time is doing and you’re ensured some bonus chuckles.
The Chicken of the Family; Mary Amato and Delphine Durand; Penguin Young Readers: Henrietta is the youngest of 3 girls and undoubtedly the chicken of the family, always bullied and teased by her older sisters. She isn’t too happy about it until she discovers that being a chicken isn’t so bad after all..and in fact, even better than being a little sister. M gives this book 3 clucks of approval.
My Preschool; Anne Rockwell; Henry Holt and Company: A warm and reassuring way to explore the experience of pre-school by walking in a little boy’s shoes for a day. We love the view from a child’s eyes complete with splodgy illustrations. Good to read with a child who is about to start pre-school or who’s feeling overwhelmed by the new experience. Also nice for sharing with an older child who remembers feeling that way and can relate to it now with new-found confidence.
Karadi Tales: Last but not the least, we went on a longish road trip over Thanksgiving weekend and part of it was made possible by Karadi Tales’ audio CDs and accompanying books. Very thankful for little mercies that keep the imp occupied in ways other than destroying upholstery or auditory experiments that put our drums to the ultimate test – not my favorite experience on the road. But give her a bunch of books and pop in the CDs and we’ve bought ourselves a bit of time to catch our breath before we begin answering her Qs again.
What picture books and children’s books have you been reading this week?
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