My wife and I have been reading to our daughter since she was born. Back then, we would read to her and she would just lay in our arms, looking at us, her little eyes just getting used to seeing the world. However, if there happened to be a light nearby she would forget all about us and stare at the light, as though it contained the secrets of the world. It seemed as though our reading was for naught, but we continued reading to her, figuring at least she was hearing language.
Well, she is now three months old and all of that reading is already paying off. This morning I was watching her and we had a few minutes of down time, which means she wasn’t eating, pooping, or spitting up. I figured I would read he a little “Good Night Little Bear“. As soon as she saw the book she got very excited, moving her little arms and legs around as soon as she saw the book. Each time I turned the page, she seemed to really enjoy the new pictures.
My hope is to continue to read to her as she gets older, building a love for reading that I have myself. Maybe some day she will be able to read a story that I have written.
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She will, Struggling Writer. I think you are so lucky to have a baby who loves books. She sounds as if she is going to be a reader and will appreciate reading as much as you do.
Mine, on the other hand, sees a book as a chewable item to frantically wrestle from my hands. Every time the book comes out, he pits himself in a life or death competition against me. It is wearing but I persevere. The first book I read to him was Tootles The Taxi, an old Ladybird book. I found another big pile of my old Ladybird books when I was in UK and have taken them back to Australia. Since having a baby, I have been surprised that even though there is a vast quatity of baby books out there, the quality of most is dismal. I’ve come across a few gems – I am going to check out Good Night Little Bear – but on the whole I have to say that: “The oldies are the goodies!” Maybe I am being sentimental!
Helen,
I’m sure my little one will enter the phase where she would rather eat the book than read it. She just isn’t that co-ordinated yet:
The Good Night Little Bear is a pretty good “Golden Book”. At around $2, you can’t beat the price.
Ah, I think I know it! I love Little Golden Books, Kiko has one of the Little Red Hen which he will pay attention to if I do the animal voices. “‘Not I!’ said the cat,” (meow, meow!)