The staff has been thinking about designing a storytime for even younger children, Novak said. One of the babies in Baby Storytime is just 6 months old. “He's our little experiment.”What do you think? Are early readers life-long readers? Or is there an age that’s too early to introduce books?
11 months ago
I think I became a reader because there were books in the house and my dad was a reader. I can't remember him reading to me though. I don't read to my kids I read around them. I only see my kids 5 nights a fortnight so I hope my influence will be enough.
ReplyDeleteI read to my girls during my pregnancies. They both were readers before going to school. Why would that be different than playing music to them?
ReplyDeleteThat's a great program at that library. I hope they find a way to go younger.
Wonderful program at that library! I've been taking my son to one similar since he was about 10mos old. Now, at two and a half, he spells every word he comes across and will sit with books, looking at pictures and reciting what he remembers from me reading to him. I don't think a child is ever too young for books. We just have to keep our expectations reasonable (i.e. preferably none at all as they get super busy and don't want to sit still).
ReplyDeleteI'm a never-too-young-to-believer, too. Kids are geniuses capable of learning multiple languages at once if started early, and reading is a skill they can pick up much faster earlier than later. Many studies have proven this.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the children grow up thinking this is fun, then it's wonderful. And kids will love to read if their parents love it and read to them at home as well. I love libraries.
ReplyDeleteNever too young. I agree with Karen though, it has to be fun & it has to be taught in different ways to match a child's learning style. My youngest daughter hated to read & I couldn't understand it because she loved stories & books. I realized that her school was basically doing forced reading & out loud. When she changed schools, kids were allowed to choose their books, broken into small groups & then discussed the books in different ways ~ art, acting, puppets etc & now she's a reader (insert sigh of relief:)
ReplyDeleteThe right time is whenever your child can sit on your lap and notice pictures...It's never too early in my mind.
ReplyDeleteY'all have brought up some excellent points. It's never too young if you make it enjoyable and not a chore. Kids learn by example and by having fun. You also have to find out how your child learns and let them, basically, take the lead.
ReplyDeleteI think it's official, y'all are geniuses (and well-practiced parents).
You're never too young to read. I read to my daughters as infants, holding them while I read. I think even the sense of warmth and comfort that came from those quiet times become good feelings associated with reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree, your never to young to be introduced to books. The younger children are introduced to the magical world books can offer, the better.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
I don't believe it's ever to early to make reading a positive experience.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I agree. Reading to infants can be very soothing, plus lead to more reading as they grow up.
ReplyDeleteThis tells us, I think, that we need to get books out to more mothers and kids.
No, I don't think it's ever too early.
ReplyDeleteNever too young. I think a parent reading aloud is soothing to an infant and fun.
ReplyDeleteMy mom read to me as a baby. She said I began talking and reading at the age of 1 & 1/2 years. Yes, that young! I attribute it to the early reading.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I think you've always been an overachiever! At least since I've known you, you seem to be always striving.
ReplyDeleteI did picture books with my children when they were younger than a year. Many people commented about making it fun. I wish someone could influence the literature departments at schools to remember that motto.
ReplyDeleteIt's never too early, but my own experience (I have two teens and a seven year old) tells me that it all depends on the child. All three of my children were introduced to board books from the moment they learned how to grasp things with their little tiny hands :) and I read to them before they could do this - but my oldest likes to read but won't admit it, my middle child doesn't like to read at all, but would really like to, so has always done a lot of extracurricular "bookish" things at school in the hopes that she will one day become a reader, and my youngest is (fingers crossed!) a reader. But I introduced all three of them to reading early!
ReplyDeletePeople have been reading to me all my life. My parents taught me to read using flashcards instead of phonics and I started reading for myself around five.
ReplyDeleteNow I devour books on a regular basis, and I want to write them too. It depends on the child, but at least exposing your kids to books is never a bad thing, IMO.
That's true, Sylvia. It seems to me that more and more children's books writers are creating websites with fun questions or things to do with kids.
ReplyDeleteBelle, sometimes it's just the introduction to books that works - sooner or later. My husband hardly read anything at all. He now reads more than I do.
I agree Miriam. And if you can't or don't have time to read to them, make books available.
I think you are never too young. My daughter has been reading to her son since the day he was born(almost 4 years ago). He loves books and the library is one of his favorite places to go.
ReplyDeleteNever too young. Baby shower, early birthdays - I always start the kid's library. From what I understand, the book gifts are a huge hit with the baby (who chews on 'em) and then the toddler who enjoys the pictures and repetition of Dr.Seuss, et al.
ReplyDeleteResearch presented to me when trianing to be a teacher, indicates that the earlier the better. However, 6 months seems a bit exessive. There could be overkill if it's done in a oushy way.
ReplyDeleteNever too early! Maybe a time when it's too late! Maybe not!
ReplyDeleteI think reading to young children is a good way to introduce them to stories without being pushy. If you buy or check out books with wonderful pictures and exciting, age appropriate, stories, the kids will hook themselves.
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