How to make my toddler a book lover?
Feeling a bit nostalgic. Remember vividly how my dad use to bring me to the bookstore during his work time. My dad, a single dad, working his ass off to provide for me, have no choice but to bring me along / around shopping mall while he go to the supermarket to take sales orders. That's back then.
Every time instead of bringing me to the supermarket, he left me at a bookstore (yes alone when back then people are kinder and naive and less kids kidnaping or human trafficking so please do not do that in this era) so that I get to read for free while waiting for him to finish his job.
From then, my love to books evolve. I grew up alone so book is my only companion most of them time. Guess how it all started.
Sharing my tips of how to get your toddler fall in love with books, I believe now you catch the first one, START YOUNG. Read on!
- Start them young. As young as possible. Introduce books to your toddler or baby once they can sit up right. My first book to my 7mo is a soft smoochy book. It is very cuddly and bring coloured. Even thou she may not understand what the book is writing - yet, but she love the colours. Once they are always surrounded with books, slowly they will explore them and fall in love with them.
Bought this at BBW fair - MYR15.
- Interactive reading and make books looks fun! When I read to my baby, I will make sounds. If I am reading out a ladybird story, I will act like a ladybird. Even thou not really sure how does a lady bird sound like but so long it is some chirpy sound - able to attract her attention.
- Do not limit types of books. Let them choose what book they want to read. Even comic won't do much harm. I grew up reading Doraemon and I grew up fine. Also, book do not means it is restricted to only traditional books. Music book is good! FP do have some decent music book like this.
Bought this from FP fair - MYR60.
- Develop a routine, a reading routine. Make it a habit and that is why bed time story is a honoured tradition in the family? My baby love this pillow story book. To an extant she hug it to sleep.
This pillow princess bought it from Groupon at MYR40. Worth every penny. Good material and colours are so bright.
- Let book to be easily accessible. Put book at lower rack and let them take it off rack anytime when they want to. Mess can be solved later. It won't hurt.
- Monkey see monkey do. You read and she will do.
- Limit technology. Do not exposed your kids to iPad too much. After all, who do not love moving cartoon more than books. They sing, they dance. Even I could not resist myself watching youtube nowadays.
- Do not force the child or make reading as a punishment. Never ever let them associate reading to negative thought - punishment. Make reading as a positive fun activities.
Do let me know if it works. Reading is to be nurtured in young mind and it has to be a habit. Keep practise and persistent to introduce the book to your baby. Baby may not like it at first but take a small steps each time. Start with 1 min then 5min and so on. Eventually it will work!
All the best.
Love,
Hot MaMa
