Now, we weren’t the type to be reading baby books to my rounded, pregnant belly, we have read to him since his very first weeks after birth. When when those eyes didn’t seem like they could see past the nose in front of his tiny, little face. Even when he would fall asleep after the first page, get extremely hungry after the second.
While student teaching in Kinder, some of the kids didn’t know how to hold a book, where the front cover was, which side was up or which is down. As I showed these kids the front cover, how to turn a page, how to read from left to right, I saw how much they loved it, they LOVED reading. I knew they could have loved it earlier.
Our boy may be small, and he may not be able to talk, or walk, or lets face, even do a normal crawl on his knees, but this boy knows books. He LOVES them, sometimes too much. We aim to read at least 2 a day to him. And he’s into it. He sings along, he points, I sometimes have to hand him a blanket so his doesn’t yank it out of my hands mid word.
We don’t have a whole lot of books, but that’s ok. He’s hearing the words, seeing the pictures. We count objects on the page.
So how early is too early? What I’ve learned from teaching is that I am always surprised at how quickly kids pick up on things that I would initially think too hard for them, or out of grasp. I like to keep it light, short and fun. I don’t want it to be a chore, but a fun family event. When he’s done, so am I. And yes, I get my crazy character voices on, sometimes. It’s a fun time.
It’s NEVER too early to instill a love of books. What a great job you’re doing with your son – and, the bonding is so good for him too! My kids are 12 and 10 and we started reading to them within the first weeks of life, and they still love books more than most kids I know. Part of that may be because of our homeschooling lifestyle, too 🙂
Visting from WW – thanks for reminding me of some of the great times with my own kids!
Gidget @ Homeschooling Unscripted
Recent Post: Books Your Kids Will Love
I love reading 🙂 because (I believe) my parents read to me so much. My son is 8 months, and he loves it too! He already turns the pages for me. story time is my favorite.
My baby brother has always loved books, even if at first he loved to try and eat them =P But it’s so amazing how they remember little details, and where they are in the book o____o My brother just turned two and he’ll look for specific things in the books he has.
Your son is just too cute X3 I cannot get over how big his eyes are. So adoooorable!
Yup, it is never too early! My daughter reads to her little toddler all the time too, and she loves it! You’re a good little mommy! And your family is so adorable! 😉
agree, never too early! amy, you are going to LOVE the sign4baby classes if you are thinking like this- it is AMAZING to watch them learn and express themselves. keaton is able to tell me about things around him (lights, monkeys, different foods, etc) and he is so proud of the communication he can do. and even if he doesnt know the sign i’m doing, he still loves knowing i’m trying my best to teach him. kind of like reading, i think … teaching them the different ways to communicate is so helpful on a million different levels!
fin is OBVIOUSLY a book lover already, and i’m sure it’s because you guys love it. and are consistent and having fun with it. such a happy baby, that little mister fin!
definitely not too early! my daughter is now 3 and has books memorized (so cute and amazing), and my son is 8 months and is starting to turn the pages himself, though he’d rather EAT the books at this point. good job getting your little guy into books right away!
It’s never too early! And you don’t need a lot of books. He will enjoy the repetition of the books and seeing the same pictures again and again. We love the library too. Looks of great books and our collection is always changing.
I am a new follower from the Thoughtful Thursday Hop.
Vicky @ http://messforless.blogspot.com
Those are terrific photos! So sweet.
Wonderful photos and a great way to encourage reading!
Hop’in by from ‘Thankful for Friends Thursday GFC Blog Hop’. I’m following your blog now, wont you please come and follow me back?? ~KM
Krafty Max Originals
I love those pictures!!! Too cute.
And your little guy…I just wanna give him a big hug, he is completely adorable!!!
I read to my little guy sometimes. I should do it more often, but when I bring out the books, he does what your little guy does. It’s so cute. hehe.