Sunday, November 28, 2010

Read Early, Read Often

When is it too soon to read to your little one? Never! Of course, your new baby cannot really understand the content of books you read to her. But you are teaching her something else. You are introducing her to the unique experience of being read to. She can pick up the cadence of your voice. Like a lullaby, she might just find it calming. You are creating a reassuring feeling of connection as you hold her. And it is never too soon to offer her that gift.
Posted by madforreading at Sunday, November 28, 2010

33 comments:

  1. audreygeddesNovember 28, 2010 at 11:35 PM

    This is so true! As soon as my daughter was born I was reading to her. Now that she is ten she is one of the top readers in her fifth grade class. I also believe in introducing children to languages early, and right now my daughter is learning Spanish through a very fun and engaging read by Matthew Gollub called, Jazz Fly 2. The book and Latin jazz cd invites kids to chant 40 Spanish words and phrases, including “pachanga” (in the book’s title), which means “dance party.” My daughter is really getting a lot out it.

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  2. madforreadingNovember 29, 2010 at 7:03 AM

    Thank you so much for your comment! What a great suggestion as well.I am going to look for this product.

    Madeline

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  3. UnknownNovember 29, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    I am now following you too.

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  4. NameNovember 30, 2010 at 10:57 AM

    VERY true..not only from my own experience, but it was discussed a lot in a certain college class I was in. I need to get back to reading to mine more, thanks for the conviction! (really!) I'm following you back as well

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  5. madforreadingNovember 30, 2010 at 11:16 AM

    It is so easy to lose the momentum of a routine, but it is also easy to recapture it . . . and so rewarding, too! Let me know how it goes.

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  6. ElizabethNovember 30, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    I couldn't agree more! We started reading to our twins very early on, and once they started walking, we kept a lot of their books in a basket on the floor so that they could get to them whenever they wanted. They always grabbed books and brought them to us, asking us to read them even before they could really say "book".

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  7. KimberlyNovember 30, 2010 at 8:03 PM

    Every nigut before bed, we read and before naps too. Not only is it educational it's extra time when I can snuggle with my busy toddler. Selfish? Maybe ;)

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  8. madforreadingNovember 30, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    Yes, Elizabeth, I agree that by making the books something they love, your twins completely "got" that books are something special and they value them.

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  9. madforreadingNovember 30, 2010 at 9:27 PM

    Kimberly,
    Totally! How often do we get to have that sweet closeness as they get busy? I say go for it!

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  10. JacquiNovember 30, 2010 at 10:40 PM

    I agree. I would actually read to my womb, lol. Dr Suess's Oh Baby, the Places we'll go! During my reading time, she would actually move around. I even played classical music and put the earphones over my belly. She would go nuts, lol.

    Hi! I'm your newest follower from a Tues. blog hop! I'd love it if you would follow back at one or all four of my blogs :)

    www.singleparentretreat.com
    http://singlemamachallenges.blogspot.com/
    http://motherdaughterconnection.blogspot.com/
    http://jmconsultingservices.blogspot.com/

    Thank you! Have a great week!

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  11. MelissaDecember 1, 2010 at 12:15 AM

    I am your newest follower from "Follow Me Back Tuesday" and I absolutely love your blog! I am a reading fanatic and read to my toddler every night and she loves it. What a great site you have!

    Melissa
    http://thechroniclesofarookiemom.blogspot.com/

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  12. Design It ChicDecember 1, 2010 at 3:20 AM

    Hi Madeline! You have such an adorable blog in here! I am now following you thanks to Follow Me Back Tuesday and it would be so nice if you could share the love back on my blog:)
    And don't forget to stop by our Show Yo' Flow Campaign today to see the interview we have on Elizabeth and the surprises she has for everybody:) See you there! Happy Wednesday!

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  13. GinaDecember 1, 2010 at 11:55 AM

    I've read to my son since the day we brought him home! And he LOVES being read to now (at 2 years old).

    Thanks for stopping by my blog - I'm following back!

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  14. Mrs.MayhemDecember 1, 2010 at 6:49 PM

    This post is right on. I started reading to my boys around six weeks old, and they are both in honors (and one boy earned perfect scores on the statewide tests). Reading to babies and kids is so very important.

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  15. AnonymousDecember 1, 2010 at 9:30 PM

    Stopping from the Bloggy Moms Blog Hop! I read to JDaniel from the day he was born. He now sits and picture walks the same books I read to him. I think it has helped his vocabulary and background experiences.

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  16. madforreadingDecember 1, 2010 at 9:46 PM

    I love to hear all these confirmations! Thank you for your dedication to literacy and for sharing your experiences with me.

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  17. Dawn LopezDecember 1, 2010 at 11:01 PM

    Hi! Thanks for your words on reading, so important! I am following from the Hump Day blog hop, hope you will come and visit us back at www.justmarriedwithcoupons.com

    Have a lovely Wednesday!

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  18. Eliz FrankDecember 2, 2010 at 2:16 AM

    I read to my babies from the time I was pregnant... yes pregnant! They are book lovers and we enjoy sharing good books we have read. Thank you for stopping by my blog, I am following you back.
    Blessings,
    Elizabeth

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  19. UnknownDecember 2, 2010 at 3:58 AM

    I was just talking about this today. Reading to my kids has been a blessing. I love it. Great little post.

    I'm new to the whole "blog" thing, so I post this after each response. I hope you don't mind.

    Draven Ames
    http://dravenames.blogspot.com/

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  20. madforreadingDecember 2, 2010 at 8:23 AM

    Thank you all for your comments!
    Madeline

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  21. RoDecember 2, 2010 at 2:51 PM

    So TRUE... Baby E is in love with books and now holds them open and bables- as though she is reading out loud! I cant wait to hear her actually doing it.

    Following from BlogFrog!

    Ro @ Randomroro.blogspot.c

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  22. UnknownDecember 2, 2010 at 3:55 PM

    Hi, I am stopping by from Thursday Blog Hop! I am now following you and look forward to reading more of your blog! I hope you have a wonderful day!

    http://caseysgoodlife.com

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  23. michiDecember 2, 2010 at 7:01 PM

    Do you suggest any books for newborns in particular? I have a 3 month old and would like to build a collection of books for her.

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  24. madforreadingDecember 2, 2010 at 8:37 PM

    Let me come up with a list for you!

    Madeline

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  25. nanayginDecember 2, 2010 at 8:44 PM

    I have to totally agree on this. I started reading to my kids since birth and both my kids love books. They are still too young to read but they do enjoying flipping pages and babbling as if they can read.

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  26. SongberriesDecember 3, 2010 at 10:10 AM

    Thanks for stopping by and following me! I'm following you too.
    Songberries

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  27. Blogger BroadcastDecember 4, 2010 at 4:34 PM

    I wish I was less intimidated when T was that young. Thanks for stopping by http://www.Blogger Broadcast.com

    I am following your blog. :-)

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  28. Christina S.December 4, 2010 at 6:38 PM

    It also helps create a soothing ritual that will stick with kids. Reading with my kids when they were babies before bedtime turned into reading when they were toddlers and then reading when they were in elementary school.

    My kids are older now and you will still find them reading before they go to sleep!

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  29. Grace MatthewsDecember 5, 2010 at 1:45 AM

    I read with kids and I always loved it when my mom read to me.

    Fellow Blog Hopper:)

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  30. UnknownDecember 5, 2010 at 3:33 PM

    Hi- I can tell I'm going to love your blog! I'll add your button to my blog at: http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com

    My blog is dedicated to encouraging strong family relationships through reading and playing together and giving to others. I also do book reviews/giveaways.

    I'd love to have you visit sometime when you have a chance. Thanks so much! Tina "The Book Lady"

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  31. The Pilot's WifeDecember 8, 2010 at 7:13 PM

    Wonderful!
    Found you through the December Blog Hop! Happy to be following you!

    Anna, The Pilot's Wife
    www.pilotwife.blogspot.com

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  32. AnonymousDecember 16, 2010 at 11:22 AM

    I love reading to my little ones and now my little guy is really interested in books. I am so happy for that! I couldn't agree more that it is never too early. I was reading to them when I was pregnant, too.

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  33. DariDecember 22, 2010 at 11:19 AM

    I have not been as good about reading to my kids as I could have been, but I love that they are so amazed by books - even without me making them a daily routine.

    I love listening to my 2 year old "read" the books back to me, and my 6 year old has had a huge leap in the past few months and has really improved his reading skills. It's really fun to see.

    I am a new follower from Mom's Got Blog.

    Daria @ Mom in Management.

    ReplyDelete

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What I think . . .

There are all kinds of readers. Some—like my daughter and me—are never without a book to read for pleasure. Others—like my son—are careful, analytical, and curious readers who read primarily to seek information from the page.


No matter what kind of reader your child becomes, you can help him or her get started. After all, you are your child’s first teacher. And, best of all, you can have some fun in the process.


Please feel free to share your own ideas. Tell me about ways you've enjoyed reading with your child.


Madeline Boskey, Ph.D.