My boy, Robbie, is now 22 months old and the first thing he looks for when he wakes is his books. His toys are ignored. He takes the books and starts flicking through the pages.
Read me a book, please
Soon, after breakfast, he will then pass the books to me so I can read to him. This leaves me with the following questions;
- Do we need to get better toys?
- Should I just be glad, as a parent, that he loves books?
It is particularly interesting as he is still so young. His vocabulary is still very limited. He can just say the odd word, but he is understanding instructions. When we read to him, we can say “turn page, please,” and he turn the page for us.
He also understands if you ask him to pass a particular book, e.g. “Can you pass me the Lion book?”
His cousins from England, Amy and Beth, passed down some books. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Since then we have bought The Gruffalo's Child, Tiddler and The Snail And The Whale. We have bought the hard book versions in the hope that they can be kept for our new baby, due in November.
Other books that we read are The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Mr Big by Ed Vere. We also read nursery rhymes like The Elves And The Shoemaker.
As a teacher, I am now on a long summer holiday. I love reading to my son and I believe it brings many benefits;
- Improve bond between parent and child
- It will help with his understanding of words
- Enhance imagination
- Early communication and English language skills
At the end of the day, just before bedtime, we will read to him some books to him.
Watching The Stories
I did start looking on YouTube and other sources to see if any of these stories had been adapted for television.
I did find The Very Hungry Caterpillar on YouTube.
There is also a brilliant TV adaptation of The Gruffalo. I will order the DVDs but in the meantime I found it on Vimeo.
Being active
As well as reading books, I feel as a parent, that it is important to get children outside. I live in the United Arab Emirates and it is very hot during the summer. It is still important that he goes outside and does some walking or running.
I've noticed this week that he has improved his sense of balance. He is able to run and he is finding it easier to go up or down steps.
When it gets to September, the weather should cool down. I will go back to taking him to the parks a few times a week.
I hope you have enjoyed this insight into the reading habits of our small boy. Soon, he will be able to read to us and his little brother.
Thank you for stopping by and have a nice rest of the day.
All pictures are my own.
I think it's amazing that at such a short age your son is mostly interested in books! You could try to introduce reading/writing/drawing related toys (, that way he'd also develop an interest in playing with toys but also will help him develop his interest in books.
Thank you for your feedback. I will into your suggestion.
One thing we also do is get alphabet and numbers posters and put them on the wall.
That's great, maybe get some refrigerator magnets as well, use them of a board, that way he could rearrange them and eventually learn to spell his name and simple words :) he could use them as toys and he would still be learning.
We have one set of letters already, but we'll have to get some more.
Thank you for your ideas and thank you for reading.
I agree with the art supplies idea above. My son at that age would "copy" words and drawings from books, which he also loved like yours. We also had all kinds of toys, but her preferred reading and drawing. As a reader, I would be thrilled to see with and not worried about toys.
Congrats on getting to Post of the Day. Excellent choice :)
Yes, I love the art ideas suggested. That is something we can do. We could also do some role play when he is a bit older. It might help if his brother enjoys too.
Thank you for your comment. I've just seen that I got post of the day. Yay.
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You've got a gorgeous boy and what a great father you are reading to your child! @mr-neil - memories are made of these. I don't think he'll ever forget all the times daddy read to him. :)
I am lucky to have a lovely wife and boy (plus another one the way). I thought my moment had passed but the powers that be had other plans. Therefore, it is important to make the most of the experience.
Thank you for your kind comments.
You are a good father sir @mr-neil.
Your son is so cute.Unique post one.
Thanks sir for sharing your experience here.
Thank you for your kind words and for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed.
You are most welcome sir @mr-neil.
Best wishes for you and your family also.
It is never too early to read to your kids and share the joys of reading with them. I started to read to all of my kid's ass soon as the came home from the hospital. Reading is a passion for me and I wanted to develop that love in them as well.
I'm sure reading early to children will help them with their communication and literacy skills in the future. With baby 2, I will start reading as soon as he makes it home.
Your post has been selected as the @steemiteducation Post of the Day:)
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Thank you very much @steeniteducation. What a nice surprise. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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I will soon have the chance of reading books to my niece. She is only 1 year old :)
Excellent, enjoy the reading. I hope she enjoys it too.