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Book, Babies and Reading

Anyone who introduces a child to the joys of reading gives that child some important gifts. Children who grow up amidst the world of books do better in school. Better yet, they gain one of the habits of a contented and successful life. But sometimes we wonder how can this be done in a world of electronic images, computer graphics and Incessant music?

Here are the 3 big Secrets for Helping Children to love reading.

Step 1. Begin early. Children, even babies, like the sound of rhythmic sounds and words that rhyme. You can start your child off as a reader by talking rhymes long before your baby can speak.

First, buy a copy of Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. Say these rhymes as you carry, rock and even when feeding the baby. If you do not know these rhymes by heart, pin a copy on the refrigerator, on a door post.so you can read them as you walk around.

Keep a copy of Mother Goose next to the rocker or by the crib. Hold your baby in the crook of your arm when you sit in a big chair. Open your Mother Goose book with a flourish and begin. Read with enthusiasm and with a smile. Do not be afraid to say the same rhyme 5 or 6 times in a row. Babies and toddlers LIKE repetition.

Here are some copies you might enjoy:

If you get to the point of feeling you just can not say another Mother Goose nursery Rhyme, try Odgen Nash's limericks.. These have the strong rhythms and rhymes that the very young want and need. But few of these books have illustrations that appeal to children, so you may want to memorize a limerick and say it while bouncing your child in your arms or on your knee. Again the rhythm and words and happy voice is what counts. Ogden Nash wrote:

Step 2, As your child grows, you can introduce story books. The best way to do this is to create a 'story time' each day. Many parents find that just before bed or nap time is good. Reading time is calming and helps prepare for bed and going to sleep. It's a good ritual for ending the day.

Reading is best done with you sitting in a comfortable chair. Let you child sit in your lap sort of to the side so you can both see the book.. Because children like repetition and rituals always begin by announcing it is 'reading time'. Read the title of the book. Open it. Allow the child time to look at the picture and then read a page. Go to the next page and do the same. Using exaggerated expression in your voice helps.

As your reading ritual becomes common, your child can begin turning the pages. But never let your child play with the book, wrinkle a page, pull it. Treat all books as special.

These are precious things to be kept in a cabinet or on shelf of their own. Books are only used when sitting down….and with clean hands.

Remember that children LIKE repetition. You may find yourself reading the same book night after night, week after week. In fact it helps your child if you read a book for several days when you first introduce it.

When you are ready to introduce a new title, make a fuss. Show the book cover. Ask what might be inside. Open it with enthusiasm. Exclaim over the title page. When you have 2 books in play, you can start asking your child which one to read. Do not be surprised if the same book is chosen again and again and again. This is one reason why you want to choose books that will keep your interest as well as that of your child.

Here as some books that both children and adults can enjoy reading repeatedly:

Theodore Geisel/Dr. Seuss's later books like, The Cat in the Hat, were written for beginner readers to read for themselves. They do not hold up well for adults who have to read them night after night. You will do better choosing some of his earlier titles:

McElligot's Pool, To Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, If I Ran the Zoo and Horton Hatches the Egg.

Ludwig Bemelmans' - Madeline [series]. These books have strong rhythms and rhymes that appeal to the very young. And illustrations will keep adults interested long after they have read and reread this book scores of times. "In an old house in Paris all covered with vines lived 12 little girls in 2 straight lines…." Can be quoted by many an adult either because it was read to them each night or because they were the ones doing the reading.

Jan De Brunhoff' offers another good read aloud series in the BaBar, the Elephant books.

All of these books have become classics. They are so well written that they capture the attention of children. And they entice them to engage in the activity of reading for themselves. Anyone who introduces a child to the joy of reading, gives them such a special gift.

Baby books: Newborn to 6 monthts old:

Title	Search
The Baby's Lap Book, by Kay Chorao	Search
Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book	Search
The Three Bears Rhyme Book, by Jane Yolen	Search

6 months to 1year old

Title	Search
Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes	Search
Illustrated ABC	Search

Toddlers 1-2 years old

Title	Search
Grandma and Me. by Karen Katz...author has a whole set of titles that kids like	Search
Max's New Suit, by Rosemary Wells (Max is a rabbit with a bossy sister - lots of toddler like problems}	Search
Who's Sick Today?, by Lynne Cherry - good for kids who go to daycare	Search
Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman	Search
Three Little Kittens	Search
Cleo the Cat series by Caroline Mockford	Search
Bear series by Stella Blackstone ['Bear in a Square' is one title]	Search
The Gossie and Gertie series by Olivier Dunrea	Search

Toddlers 2-4 years old

Title	Search
The Little Engine That Could	Search
Care Bears series	Search
Goldilocks and Three Bears	Search
Three Little Pigs	Search
Gingerbread Boy	Search
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown ++++ one of the best books around	Search
Big Dog and Little Dog Wearing Sweaters, by Dav Pilkey	Search
Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton	Search
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly	Search
The Little Red Caboose	Search
Gingerbread man	Search
13. Peter Rabibt and other books by Beatrice Potter....try to find in larger sizes so children can SEE pictures	Search