Introduction
Hey there, amazing parents! Let me take you on a little journey—a journey filled with books, giggles, and the occasional race after a very active little one. Yes, I’m talking about my son, the tiny tornado who never sits still. I was once where you might be now, wondering if it was even possible to get through a single page of "Goodnight Moon" without Sam darting off. But guess what? It's not only possible—it's magical!
Why Reading to Your Baby is a Must-Do:
Despite the chaos, I’d read that sticking to storytime was crucial. You see, even when it seems like they’re more into their toys or babbling away, babies are soaking up words, sounds, and the rhythms of language that lay the groundwork for later development. Benefits to reading regularly to babies include:
Richer language development cognitive skills
Grasp emotional and social concepts like sharing, kindness, and empathy
Creates a unique bonding experience between you and your baby
Increase in Concentration and Discipline
Boost Sensory Development and Motor Skills
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills develop
Our Daily Reading Ritual:
At first, aiming for even a few minutes of reading felt ambitious. But did you know that just 15 minutes of reading a day adds up to over 90 hours a year? That’s a lot of learning! So, we started small. Sometimes it was just a minute or two—barely the length of a nursery rhyme—but gradually, it became our thing.
The Early Struggles:
I worried initially. My Son hardly seemed to notice the book at all. But here’s the kicker: It doesn’t matter if it’s 30 seconds or a full five minutes. Every word, every page turned together counts. I learned to embrace the squirmy, fleeting moments when he’d rather chew the corners than listen to the story.
A Breakthrough Moment:
Then, one day, something clicked. After months of what seemed like one-sided storytimes, my son waddled over to his little bookshelf, pulled out a book, and flipped it open. Pointing at a colorful illustration, he exclaimed, “Car!” My heart soared. He had been paying attention after all!
Tips for Busy or Non-Reader Parents:
Then, one day, something clicked. After months of what seemed like one-sided storytimes, my son waddled over to his little bookshelf, pulled out a book, and flipped it open. Pointing at a colorful illustration, he exclaimed, “Car!” My heart soared. He had been paying attention after all!
Tips for Reading to an Active Baby:
Got a wriggler? No problem! Here’s how you can keep your active baby engaged in reading:
- Interactive Books: Look for books with flaps, textures, or mirrors. These interactive elements catch the attention of curious little explorers.
Some tactile, interactive books are:
‘Where’s Spot?’ by Eric Hill – A classic lift-the-flap book where children search for Spot, the playful puppy, around the house.
‘Dear Zoo’ by Rod Campbell – This lift-the-flap book has children guessing which animal the zoo has sent as a pet; it’s fun and interactive.
‘Pat the Bunny’ by Dorothy Kunhardt – One of the earliest touch-and-feel books, it invites babies to pat the bunny, feel daddy’s scratchy face, and more.
‘Baby Touch and Feel: Animals’ by DK – This board book includes various textures that help babies learn about different animals through touch.
‘Peek-a-Who?’ by Nina Laden – A fun, rhyming book with die-cut windows and mirrors that encourage guessing and interactive play.
‘That’s Not My Puppy’ by Fiona Watt – Part of a series, this book features different textures on each page that describe why this isn’t “my” puppy, until the last page.
‘TouchThinkLearn: Farm’ by Xavier Deneux – Combines scooped-out die-cuts with raised elements to offer a tactile and visual experience that explores the concept of a farm.
‘Lift-the-Flap First 100 Words’ by Roger Priddy – A comprehensive flap book that covers 100 essential words for babies, each hidden under a flap with corresponding images.
“100 First Words: Nature” by Edward Underwood – Introduces your baby to the wonders of the natural world, from animals and plants to weather and landscapes.
‘See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book’ by Roger Priddy is an interactive board book designed to stimulate the senses, featuring pages with various textures and activities that encourage babies to touch, feel, and explore as they learn.
Keep it Lively: Use funny voices and big facial expressions to bring the story to life. This makes the reading session more theatrical and fun for your baby.
- Short and Sweet: Young babies have short attention spans. Keep reading sessions brief but frequent. If your baby toddles off, take a break and return to the story later.
- Follow Their Lead: If your baby seems interested in a particular picture or page, linger there. Talk about the picture, point out colors, shapes, and characters. This interactive dialogue boosts comprehension and engagement.
- Establish a Routine: Incorporate reading into your daily routines, like before naps or bedtime. A consistent routine will help your baby anticipate and look forward to reading time. f you’re not much of a reader yourself or find it hard to remember to read, try linking book time to another routine, like right after lunch or just before bedtime. Keep books in different spots around the house, so you’re reminded wherever you might be. And don’t stress if you skip a day—just pick up a book when you remember.
- Keep the momentum: To all the parents out there, feeling like it’s a challenge too steep—keep going. Your efforts are planting seeds, building your child’s future one page at a time. And remember, every little story, even the shortest ones, feeds their young minds. SO don’t worry if you skipped a day or two or a month. Keep going when you remember to.
- You can start as early as you like even with newborns: For the littlest listeners, tactile books like ‘Baby’s Hug-a-Bible’ or picture-heavy stories like ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ are perfect. As they grow, you can introduce books with more text and rich narratives.
Some picture heavy books are:
‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle – Famous for its colorful and engaging collages, this book visually represents the caterpillar’s journey into becoming a butterfly.
‘Goodnight Moon’ by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd – Known for its quiet poetry and gentle illustrations, perfect for bedtime.
‘Animalia’ by Graeme Base – Each page is a beautifully detailed illustration featuring animals and objects corresponding to each letter of the alphabet.
‘The Snowy Day’ by Ezra Jack Keats – Captures the adventures of a young boy in the city during a snowy day with vibrant, expressive illustrations.
‘Journey’ by Aaron Becker – A wordless story told entirely through its captivating and detailed watercolor illustrations, following a young girl’s adventures in a magical land.
‘Flotsam’ by David Wiesner – Another wordless book where the detailed pictures tell a story of underwater discovery and wonder through the lens of a magical camera.
‘Tuesday’ by David Wiesner – Features surreal and imaginative illustrations that depict an incredible occurrence involving flying frogs.
‘Madeline’ by Ludwig Bemelmans – Set in picturesque Paris, this book is loved for its charming illustrations and the brave, adventurous Madeline.
‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle – Each page introduces a different animal, making it engaging for little ones as they learn about colors and animals through vibrant visuals.
‘Our Big Book of First Words’ by Tabitha Paige is an engaging and colorful board book that introduces over 100 foundational words, effectively enhancing early vocabulary and language development for young children through simple, clear illustrations.
Here are some lovely picture books for my fellows in Christ:
‘God Gave Us You’ by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Laura J. Bryant – A heartwarming story about a polar bear family, celebrating how each child is a blessing from God.
‘Found: Psalm 23’ by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago – A gentle adaptation of Psalm 23 from the Bible, illustrated to show a child’s understanding of God’s love and care.
‘The Beginner’s Bible: Timeless Children’s Stories’ by Zondervan – Features simplified Bible stories with bright and colorful illustrations, suitable for the youngest readers.
‘The Story of Jesus’ by Jane Werner Watson – A simple board book that introduces the life of Jesus in a way that’s easy for babies and toddlers to understand.
‘Little One, God Loves You’ by Amy Warren Hilliker is an uplifting board book that celebrates God’s love for children, featuring charming illustrations and rhyming text to convey meaningful spiritual messages in a way that is accessible and heartwarming for young readers.
‘If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart’ by Jill Roman Lord – A book exploring the concept of Jesus’ presence in the lives of the little ones through everyday scenarios.
by Pamela Kennedy – A soothing collection of stories that can be read at bedtime, concludes with a “Snuggle Time” Scripture, prayer, and Bible word, all crafted to comfort your little one, encouraging cuddles and peaceful sleep.
‘You Are Special’ by Max Lucado – This book features the story of Punchinello, a wooden Wemmick who learns about self-worth and the importance of how God sees us, not how the world does. I really really love this book, my fav.
‘Near: Psalm 139’ by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a soothing board book that illustrates the comforting message of Psalm 139, assuring children of God’s constant presence and love with gentle text and warm illustrations.
Happy reading, everyone! Enjoy every moment of this special journey with your little one.
