Tuesday, April 3
Growing a Reader
There is one practice which everyone seems to agree is essential for good child-rearing: you MUST read to your baby, preferably every night, from the time they are mere infants. I can't tell you how many people have asked me, out of the blue, when discussing Ariel, "Now, are you reading to her?" Then they launch into a lecture. "It is SO important to read to them REGULARLY - EVERY DAY if you can. It helps foster reading skills for their whole life! Blah blah blah...."
Now, don't get me wrong, I think reading to your baby is a really great idea. It just requires a cooperative baby. Ever since she was big enough to squirm and fuss (forever), Ariel has been quick to express her annoyance when we have sat down to read to her. Some people have said that I just need to make her sit there and get used to it, but I didn't want her first impressions of books to be "those things that Mommy holds me captive for and makes me endure." That didn't seem like a good way to foster a reader to ME.
Well, about a month ago, maybe a little more, Ariel started taking an interest in books. At first, it was an interest in Daddy's books, which tended to get her in trouble, because she would pull a few of them down from the bookshelf and proceed to be less than careful with those delicate pages. Her favorite book of Daddy's soon became his Poker book, a spiral-bound book full of pictures that illustrate how to be a good poker player, which Dan's dad gave him when he moved to Thailand (along with many other random things that he couldn't take with him). She would just sit and read that book forever, turning the pages excitedly and pointing at the pictures.
Within a week, her interest had shifted to include her OWN books. She would go to the bookshelf and pull them all down (really, all 20 or so), then go through and turn pages, looking at pictures and occasionally squealing with delight. Typically, she did this while Dan and I were reading our own books or the paper. It was precious! Sometimes, we would pick up one of the books and try to read to her, but she would either start turning the pages every 2 words or just walk away. Still, we were pleasantly surprised that she had become a little "reader."
Well, about a week and a half ago, she decided that she wanted Mommy and Daddy to start reading TO her. She'll walk up to us with a book, shove it in our lap or face (ouch! corners!), and either stand there to listen or tug to be pulled up in our laps. At least half of the time, she listens through the entire page before turning it. Well, at first I was enthralled! She wanted to be read to! How wonderful! But now....
How many times in one day can I be made to read "The Wheels On The Bus"? I don't even LIKE that song! She has three song books, all of which have those spinning wheels that make the pictures move, so they hurt your fingers after awhile. She'll bring one over and insist that it be read at least 10 times! GAH! You can distract her for maybe 2 or 3 minutes with other toys, if you're lucky, but then it's "gook! gook!"
Dan jokingly suggested today that maybe we should hide her books for a couple days, for sanity's sake. I feel like a terrible mom for being tempted, but it sounds like a really nice idea. Although the books are less exhausting than chasing her out of bathrooms and away from garbage bags and the dishwasher, some of these books are pure mental torture when repeated. Probably the only one that I still enjoy reading is The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. This really is a fun book. If you're looking for something to read your little one without going crazy in the process, I would recommend it whole-heartedly.
Well, that's it for now. Tomorrow we find out whether Ariel is having a little brother or a little sister! Woohoo!
There is one practice which everyone seems to agree is essential for good child-rearing: you MUST read to your baby, preferably every night, from the time they are mere infants. I can't tell you how many people have asked me, out of the blue, when discussing Ariel, "Now, are you reading to her?" Then they launch into a lecture. "It is SO important to read to them REGULARLY - EVERY DAY if you can. It helps foster reading skills for their whole life! Blah blah blah...."
Now, don't get me wrong, I think reading to your baby is a really great idea. It just requires a cooperative baby. Ever since she was big enough to squirm and fuss (forever), Ariel has been quick to express her annoyance when we have sat down to read to her. Some people have said that I just need to make her sit there and get used to it, but I didn't want her first impressions of books to be "those things that Mommy holds me captive for and makes me endure." That didn't seem like a good way to foster a reader to ME.
Well, about a month ago, maybe a little more, Ariel started taking an interest in books. At first, it was an interest in Daddy's books, which tended to get her in trouble, because she would pull a few of them down from the bookshelf and proceed to be less than careful with those delicate pages. Her favorite book of Daddy's soon became his Poker book, a spiral-bound book full of pictures that illustrate how to be a good poker player, which Dan's dad gave him when he moved to Thailand (along with many other random things that he couldn't take with him). She would just sit and read that book forever, turning the pages excitedly and pointing at the pictures.
Within a week, her interest had shifted to include her OWN books. She would go to the bookshelf and pull them all down (really, all 20 or so), then go through and turn pages, looking at pictures and occasionally squealing with delight. Typically, she did this while Dan and I were reading our own books or the paper. It was precious! Sometimes, we would pick up one of the books and try to read to her, but she would either start turning the pages every 2 words or just walk away. Still, we were pleasantly surprised that she had become a little "reader."
Well, about a week and a half ago, she decided that she wanted Mommy and Daddy to start reading TO her. She'll walk up to us with a book, shove it in our lap or face (ouch! corners!), and either stand there to listen or tug to be pulled up in our laps. At least half of the time, she listens through the entire page before turning it. Well, at first I was enthralled! She wanted to be read to! How wonderful! But now....
How many times in one day can I be made to read "The Wheels On The Bus"? I don't even LIKE that song! She has three song books, all of which have those spinning wheels that make the pictures move, so they hurt your fingers after awhile. She'll bring one over and insist that it be read at least 10 times! GAH! You can distract her for maybe 2 or 3 minutes with other toys, if you're lucky, but then it's "gook! gook!"
Dan jokingly suggested today that maybe we should hide her books for a couple days, for sanity's sake. I feel like a terrible mom for being tempted, but it sounds like a really nice idea. Although the books are less exhausting than chasing her out of bathrooms and away from garbage bags and the dishwasher, some of these books are pure mental torture when repeated. Probably the only one that I still enjoy reading is The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. This really is a fun book. If you're looking for something to read your little one without going crazy in the process, I would recommend it whole-heartedly.
Well, that's it for now. Tomorrow we find out whether Ariel is having a little brother or a little sister! Woohoo!
// posted by Jenni @ 7:13 PM 
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::druming fingers... waiting.::
btw... we've been known to hide obnoxious books before. they find them eventually so don't feel too terrible if you have to resort to this.
btw... we've been known to hide obnoxious books before. they find them eventually so don't feel too terrible if you have to resort to this.
Update: Ariel threw up in her "Wheels on the Bus" book, so we're rid of that one. We still have "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to do away with, though...
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