Reading books for kids - 1 year old - Page 1

Hi,

Have read a lot about the benefits of reading out stories to kids from an early age and I was very keen that I inculcate this habbit in my child also......but am really not too sure on how to go about this....My daughter is 14 months old, and I have tried reading out stories to her, but she doesnt seem to be interested to listen....the pictures in the book probably keep her ccupied for a while but then she loses interest and runs away.I was just wondering if any one could tell me how to catch the interest of 1year olds while reading out to them......and would u recommend any special books for this purpose??

Thanks!!

Divya,

Yeah, reading with them (from even when they are babies) is fun, bonding and great for them. I always read a lot to my little ones. And I have to admit that once they were ready to read, they were on a roll (I think a lot of credit is because we always read a lot to them).

1) Make sure the books are appropriate. I think board books are appropriate. Make sure they get to play with them. Board books will not tear. Some good books:

- Good night moon by Margarent Wise Brown (others as well by the author)

- The Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle--more by the same author)

- Check out this parentree article about 8 must have classic board books.

2) Read not just at bed time but most times. In the car when they are captive. Keep some books in the car.

3) Make it conversational and fun.

4) Check out these Parentree articles as well

http://www.parentree.in/Parentree-editors/journal-549/Read-together-with-your-children---some-tips.html

http://www.parentree.in/Parentree-editors/journal-116/Learn-to-read---Children-under-2.html

http://www.parentree.in/Suri/journal-320/Read-to-your-child.html

ttp://www.parentree.in/Parentree-editors/journal-719/Raise-a-book-lover.html

enjoy!

At this time, pictures are important to them and so is snuggling with mama all cosy cosy. So make sure you snuggle and be patient and you will find them wanting more and more.

Read what interests them. Stuff about things around them typically I remember rather than exotic stuff.

Thanks a ton Mango_Mama........u wont believe it, but when I was posting this question, somewhere at the back of my mind, I was quite sure that u wud be one of the first to give me some useful tips on this....and I was proved right!! Thanks a ton for ur suggestions.......any idea if I can buy these books second hand somewhere......was just wondering if it makes sense to buy all these books new as kids may outgrow them......what do you think?

Ask on Parentree. Once your kids outgrow them they are of no use really! I just gave ours away (a great collection) about a month back. Hippocampus also has them in case you want to join the library.

Check out the bookstores. Sometimes these books are available in the paper picture book edition (instead of thickish board books) and are much more reasonable.

If you have 2 or are planning to use them for the second. Might still be worth it! Get a few and borrow a few.

Thanks....will try looking for them on Parentree....and a few bookstores as well....Tks once again!!

Btw, you use these books for a long time. Kids love them and love to be read to/read again and again and again. My kids would have liked to keep them longer (6 and 8) but i need to make space and just gave for my 7 month old niece. So you can get a lot of mileage out of these books.

Ok....thats a useful point....Then, I guess it makes sense to buy these books new.....was not aware that kids wud like to use it for a long time !!

I started with The Hungry Caterpillar and my son just loved it. He learnt to count using the board book. The kids usually wont stick to the story. They might start saying something else and you can encourage them to talk about it. At home I read a bit too and so he would also pick up a book to imitate me and slowly got interested. At times I give him books with just trucks and stuff that interest him to panchatantra to flip flap ones (the flaps can be opened and the reveal some animals or images). The flip flap one is one of his favorites (he liked it when he was around 2 - he is 3 now  - he still uses the book - each time he discovers something new)

Books are a great investment. Doesnt hurt to buy them. Landmark has a sale now and there are good deals. As mango_mama said kids continue to use it. Mine still takes the vehicles board book and the caterpillar one and pretends to read the story. And the important thing is once they start reading they like to read it multiple times. Never tired of it (it only tires us to keep reading again and again)

http://www.saffrontree.org/ - this website has a few reviews about books for children by parents.

You can also enroll in a library and take the kid there to find out their interest and choose books accordingly.

Geetha

Hi All,

I started my first story telling session yesterday, and more than my daughter, I was mahaa excited !!! She loved the one word board books which she could repeat after me, but was not too interested in the stories that I was reading out (like Very Hungry Caterpillar.... !!!).Am just hoping I manage to infuse some interest in her as the days go by.....am trying to put in a lot of animation when I read, but any tips from u guys on how to catch the interest of my little one ???And till then, will it feel like I am just reading it out to myself???

Its usually like that. Initially I was quite excited about reading stories and my son would run away or do something else or pick up a toy and start playing. I would just leave him at that point and let him do other stuff.

I usually schedule the reading after physical activity since he would be tired and would like to sit down. That worked for me. And at bedtime. We dont take toys to bed so just books and he would generally ask me this and that.

It took my son a year to start liking books. I started when he was around 6 months - just board books like vehicles, fruits, animals and by 2 he started showing interest.

Sometimes I dont show him books for a week and then suddenly we would discover them and he would read a lot of books at a stretch.

It takes a little while for them to grasp the story - dont expect them to understand or remember them. Encourage them to ask questions about the story or about the character and you can also ask them questions.

It does take a while. Keep trying. You will regret the day they start showing interest because it means more library visits, more shopping for books and lots more reading on our part.

Hi,

Forgot to ask one more thing.....I somehow feel that my little one is unable to understand my story telling bcos I am reading out the story to her in English...and I converse with her in my mother tongue otherwise........and hence she prob is wondering what I am talking !!! Does this mean that I have to start talking to her in English from now on??

Nope,

Please continue talking in your mother tongue.

But if the book is in English, read in English...

I read once in english and explain in the language I speak with him. As my son started understanding english, I primarily read in english and explain a bit in tamil. Or ask him what he understood. Also for complex long sentences I simplify the sentence.

Thanks Geeth......my daughter is just 1bt 14 months, so there is nothing much I can converse with her......but yes - will try all ur suggestions.....and I am hoping she will eventually get into the habbit of reading.

Hi All,

It was less than a month back when I first posted this question on how to read to kids, the hows and the whys....etc.And I am so glad to  tell you that my 15 month old daughter has got quite addicted to books now. Have bought her a whole set of books...and the first thing that she does as soon as she gets up in the morning is to open her books and sit in front of them. Was a little sceptical when I first started off, but am so satsfied with the results now and my hubby also is quite amazed with the transformation. Just wanted to say a big thanks to all of u who gave in ur valuable suggestions and helped me in this journey....Thanks once again.

Cool! That is the power of the group gyan and sharing. :-)

Hi All,

My daughter is one year old and I too love books. I had bought her animal board books and some paper picture books. She is very interested in those and it is all torn now :) including board book :) Am interested to introduce more books to my kid. Can u please suggest where these books would be available in Chennai..? Or where can i purchase it online.. In flipkart.com, can i purchase those board books.. Seems a bit costly.. Need your valuable suggestions

hey Charanya....

I am from Hyderabad and buy lot of books form Landmark Book shop here.. they have a very gud collection for all ages... u can give a try in their chennai branches!!

Rgds,

Mishti

Thanks Mishti..Will try and let you know.

hi, Charanya,

this is ILA, new with this parentree group, jst reading th' all your conversation regarding books for our children. i am been introduced to a total development programme for my daughter, RASHI, who is 16 months now. this programme gives a set of books with audios & dvds etc... only i can tell u, its amazing.... its all in one, & actually its the one which i was looking fo rmy child, whom i want to be a great reader in her life... will share with u all details if u r interested to know more about this... by the way, what's your daughter's name?

hope to converse with u again.

hi charanya,

try higginbothams in chennai.. they have very gud collections... enroll her in a kids  library.. btw where r u put up.. glowworm club in shenoy nagar have superb collections.. age appropriate books.. my kids love those collections...

not only board books..they have cloth books, phonics, colour, shapes wheel,glittery kids.. pop-up books, lift the flaps etc etc...

It imparts not only knowledge and reading skills but also fine motor skills..

FYI, you might think that ur kid is not enjoying/ listening to you but the truth is that they absolutely  pick each and every word that u speak . Their minds click a picture of the bookpage  that u show them. The key word is repition. Keep repeating books and then see the difference !!!!

Hi Ila,

Sorry for a very late response. My daughter Sanjanaa is 18 months old now. She is very fond of books. I try to get any interesting picture, rhyme books that keeps her occupied. Thanks for the details.

@mithun

Thanks for the details. Will try and let you know. Am put up in velachery. Shenoy nagar is bit far for me. Will try to visit the place u referred when i find time.