Here is my log of baby's reading schedule:-
Weekdays:
1 book while in the car going to/fro from babysitter's
3-4 books before night sleep
Weekends:
1 book before morning nap
1 book before afternoon nap
3-4 books before night sleep
There is a pattern here. We usually read before bed, so reading has become sort of a sleep cue. But occasionally I do 'out of cycle reads' and she likes it. I plan to increase the reading to other times slowly, so we can have more 'noisy' kind of reading :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Article Sharing: How to Raise a Reader
Good article from Parents.com :
How to Raise a Reader
Settling into a comfy chair with your child to read a story is one of the best things about being a parent. And if you haven't already made reading a daily habit, you need to start now, since books benefit kids in so many ways. "First of all, reading with your child is a wonderful bonding experience," says Parents advisor Linda Acredolo, PhD, coauthor of Baby Minds. Your kid gets to bask in your undivided attention, which makes storytime truly magical. Reading every single day also helps your child learn to talk, expand her vocabulary, build her imagination, and get prepped for school. Our expert tips will get your child hooked on books for life.
For the full article, see here http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/reading/how-to-raise-a-reader/
How to Raise a Reader
Settling into a comfy chair with your child to read a story is one of the best things about being a parent. And if you haven't already made reading a daily habit, you need to start now, since books benefit kids in so many ways. "First of all, reading with your child is a wonderful bonding experience," says Parents advisor Linda Acredolo, PhD, coauthor of Baby Minds. Your kid gets to bask in your undivided attention, which makes storytime truly magical. Reading every single day also helps your child learn to talk, expand her vocabulary, build her imagination, and get prepped for school. Our expert tips will get your child hooked on books for life.
For the full article, see here http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/reading/how-to-raise-a-reader/
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Can Babies Enjoy Reading?
My mother has always encouraged me to read when I was young, as far back as I can remember. I thought I would do the same with my baby, which meant starting right from the start - when baby was still inside my womb.
Hubby and I took turns reading to baby night after night. At first, hubby wasn't used to reading to baby (even more so a non-visible baby), and felt strange, but he adapted quickly. We thought if baby did not understand, at least she could enjoy the sound of our voices.
After baby was born, I started reading to her nightly since she was 3 months old and could be propped up to a sitting position. I introduced her to cloth books like Fuzzy Bee and Friends, and also picture books by Eric Carle and other books given by friends. The bright colors captured her attention. Interestingly, she showed preference on certain pictures or books from that young age. There was a picture of a bee, that she would giggle every time she saw it.
By 4 months old, she would shout loudly or smile when we got to her favorite page in a certain favorite book. People observing would comment 'that's her favorite book hor?'.
As she got older, she learnt how to kiss a.k.a. 'sayang'. No one told her to, but she started giving her favorite pictures kisses :)
Now at 11 months, we still enjoy reading together.
Some people (including myself) wondered, does the baby really UNDERSTAND? Well, maybe not everything, but one can still enjoy something without understanding :) Understanding will come. In my baby's case, as she learnt to recognise things around her - cat, bird, socks, ducky, hanky, flowers, etc, she started to pay rapt attention to those pictures in the books. I can practically see the light bulb turning on in her head - "Oh, so all these things that I see in the pictures are also around me!" I do not doubt she has learnt a lot through reading.
Most importantly, she really ENJOYS it. I don't have to make her read books, she wants to. How do I know? Whenever she sees me take her books out, she will stop crying if she was crying for whatever reason; sometimes she will shout happily; sometimes she will laugh.
It's a special time for daddy or mummy to snuggle with baby on the couch. It has become a naptime and bedtime ritual, to read her books before she goes to bed. We all enjoy it :)
Hubby and I took turns reading to baby night after night. At first, hubby wasn't used to reading to baby (even more so a non-visible baby), and felt strange, but he adapted quickly. We thought if baby did not understand, at least she could enjoy the sound of our voices.
After baby was born, I started reading to her nightly since she was 3 months old and could be propped up to a sitting position. I introduced her to cloth books like Fuzzy Bee and Friends, and also picture books by Eric Carle and other books given by friends. The bright colors captured her attention. Interestingly, she showed preference on certain pictures or books from that young age. There was a picture of a bee, that she would giggle every time she saw it.
By 4 months old, she would shout loudly or smile when we got to her favorite page in a certain favorite book. People observing would comment 'that's her favorite book hor?'.
As she got older, she learnt how to kiss a.k.a. 'sayang'. No one told her to, but she started giving her favorite pictures kisses :)
Now at 11 months, we still enjoy reading together.
Some people (including myself) wondered, does the baby really UNDERSTAND? Well, maybe not everything, but one can still enjoy something without understanding :) Understanding will come. In my baby's case, as she learnt to recognise things around her - cat, bird, socks, ducky, hanky, flowers, etc, she started to pay rapt attention to those pictures in the books. I can practically see the light bulb turning on in her head - "Oh, so all these things that I see in the pictures are also around me!" I do not doubt she has learnt a lot through reading.
Most importantly, she really ENJOYS it. I don't have to make her read books, she wants to. How do I know? Whenever she sees me take her books out, she will stop crying if she was crying for whatever reason; sometimes she will shout happily; sometimes she will laugh.
It's a special time for daddy or mummy to snuggle with baby on the couch. It has become a naptime and bedtime ritual, to read her books before she goes to bed. We all enjoy it :)
At 4 months old
Where's Spot? (RM22.90)
Price: RM30.90 RM22.90
Product details
Author: Eric Hill
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 12 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (June 30, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399240462
ISBN-13: 978-0399240461
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
Great book for babies and young children, with repetitive phrases that little children love. This is a classic book that is built to last. Rated 4.5/5 stars in Amazon!
My Review:
My baby loves this book! She enjoys opening the flaps and discovering what's underneath. When Spot is found, she's happy!
Product details
Author: Eric Hill
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 12 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (June 30, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399240462
ISBN-13: 978-0399240461
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
Great book for babies and young children, with repetitive phrases that little children love. This is a classic book that is built to last. Rated 4.5/5 stars in Amazon!
My Review:
My baby loves this book! She enjoys opening the flaps and discovering what's underneath. When Spot is found, she's happy!
The Very Busy Spider (RM33.90)
Price: RM37.90 RM33.90
Product details
Author: Eric Carle
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 26 pages
Publisher: Philomel (August 16, 1995)
ISBN-10: 0399229191
ISBN-13: 978-0399229190
Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
Another great book by Eric Carle. Predecessor to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The book is touchable: elements including the strands of web are embossed on the pages and you can follow them with your fingertips. But the best thing by far is Carle's familiar, yet still breathtaking skill as an illustrator. Rated 4.2/5 stars by Amazon customers.
See more books...
Product details
Author: Eric Carle
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 26 pages
Publisher: Philomel (August 16, 1995)
ISBN-10: 0399229191
ISBN-13: 978-0399229190
Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
Another great book by Eric Carle. Predecessor to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The book is touchable: elements including the strands of web are embossed on the pages and you can follow them with your fingertips. But the best thing by far is Carle's familiar, yet still breathtaking skill as an illustrator. Rated 4.2/5 stars by Amazon customers.
See more books...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (RM31.90)
Price: RM31.90
Product details
Author: Eric Carle
Board book: 24 pages
Publisher: Philomel (March 23, 1994)
ISBN-10: 0399226907
ISBN-13: 978-0399226908
Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
The board book format of this classic story by Eric Carle. Your child can learn about nature, food and the days of the week in one absolutely stunningly illustrated book. Rates 4.8/5 stars on Amazon!
See more books...
Product details
Author: Eric Carle
Board book: 24 pages
Publisher: Philomel (March 23, 1994)
ISBN-10: 0399226907
ISBN-13: 978-0399226908
Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
The board book format of this classic story by Eric Carle. Your child can learn about nature, food and the days of the week in one absolutely stunningly illustrated book. Rates 4.8/5 stars on Amazon!
See more books...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (RM48.90)
Out of stock! To pre-order, drop me an email
Price: RM 48.90
Product details
Author: Eric Carle
Oversized board book: 24 pages
Publisher: Philomel (April 19, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399247459
ISBN-13: 978-0399247453
Product dimensions: 10.6 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
A classic story book for your little child or baby in the oversized board book format, the beautiful illustrations magnified. Plus, as an added bonus, it includes a CD of Eric Carle reading his classic story. This book is for keeps! Rated 4.5/5 stars from 350 customers on Amazon!
Review:
This oversized board book is gorgeous!! Beautiful illustrations magnified on every page. Your child will find it fun to poke little fingers through the small holes in each fruit. Classic Eric Carle - besides the beautiful pictures, the short story teaches concepts of Monday-Sunday and numbers.
See more books...
Price: RM 48.90
Product details
Author: Eric Carle
Oversized board book: 24 pages
Publisher: Philomel (April 19, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399247459
ISBN-13: 978-0399247453
Product dimensions: 10.6 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
A classic story book for your little child or baby in the oversized board book format, the beautiful illustrations magnified. Plus, as an added bonus, it includes a CD of Eric Carle reading his classic story. This book is for keeps! Rated 4.5/5 stars from 350 customers on Amazon!
Review:
This oversized board book is gorgeous!! Beautiful illustrations magnified on every page. Your child will find it fun to poke little fingers through the small holes in each fruit. Classic Eric Carle - besides the beautiful pictures, the short story teaches concepts of Monday-Sunday and numbers.
See more books...