Yes. I certainly subscribe to that. :)
My husband and I took turns to read bible stories aloud since I was pregnant. Once awhile, we would go to the library to borrow children books and "read a story to my baby" before we sleep. :P
I was clueless whether he really knew what Daddy and Mummy were doing, but it certainly formed the habit for Alphonse and myself to read a story to him every night.
During the first 2 months after giving birth to him, I was rather confined and couldn't borrow books from the library. So Alphonse and I downloaded Andriod Apps which contain children stories/bible stories to read to Elric. From 3 months onwards, we visited the library almost every weekend to borrow 6 books. (that's the maximum number of books we can borrow with each library card)
1 week 6 books = 4 weeks 24 books
That's quite a lot!
hahahahahahaaha.... No wonder my son is a bookworm!!!
He loves munching on his books.
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| ohh... the book taste good! |
Don't get me wrong! I have totally no intention to train him to be some nerds or scholars. I was never a book lover myself. I just think it is more beneficial for him to be occupied reading then to indulge in iPad games. There are so much more a child can learn from books and baby toys than those games. So I must start the habit young.
So why is reading good for the babies?
It teaches your baby to listen. Remember that your baby does not only learn the words you read, your baby is also learning your tone of voice. So when you read the story to your baby, care to be more expressive. For example, "Woah, that's a BIG elephant!"
"See? That's a smalllll turtle!"
This will help him improve his communication skills. When your baby hears you speak, he is learning too. You may not understand his "Gu gu ga ga ga... bua bu ba ba mumu mama ma..." but he is learning to express by imitating you and that will ultimately improve his communication skills. You will be surprised how expressive your baby can be when he starts to speak!
Reading your baby a story, is also a good time for family bonding. Your baby gets a quality period of time with you. He gets your full attention and he enjoy listening to your voice. :)
There are many types of baby books which are suitable for your baby.
You can always head to the library to grab some books too. Just that the books have passed through many hands. You may want to avoid letting him lick or bite on the book!(>__<)
Unlike the past, there are many types of books designed to aid the growth and development of babies.
Touch and Feel books
These are the books with different texture for babies to touch and learn.
You will see portions of the pictures with a different cloth material to stimulate the child's sense of touch.
Waterproof books
I bought this waterproof book from Campbell Books when Elric was just 3 months.
He loves this book since, and we bring it along whenever we travel out. This waterproof book is great as a bath time activity too. Keep you child occupied with the book while you scrub him clean! :D
Normal Board books
Bought this Ugly duckling book from Popular at $4.90. :D Cheap Cheap! I like! whahahaha... It is heavy though, so if your baby still can't sit up straight, don't let him handle the book on a lying position. Just in case he drop the book onto his face. It happened to Elric. :(
Cloth Books
I bought these cloth books sometime back from http://www.joli-petite.com. The good thing about cloth books is that they are very light and easy to bring along. I got the pack of 6 books at $26. (each about $4.50 after adding postage). The bed time prayer book was $15.90. Once a while I would pick this up and reread to him. I like this one because the colours in the book are in pastel colours. No so stimulating and suitable as a bedtime story.
Musical books
My Mother-in-law bought this Fisher Price Musical book for Elric. She bought it from Malaysia but I checked the local pricing. ABOUT $40+!!!! Well, grandma always dotes on their grandchildren. Right? :)
Elric like this book alot too! It's very colours and everytime you spin the round button at the corner, it will introduce the animals on the page and plays a song. I will sing along with it every page I turn.
Activities Book
This is the latest book which I bought. The Playgro Clip Clop Toy Box Teether book. You can find it at http://www.joli-petite.com ($16.90).
We all know that children products are getting more and more expensive. Hence with every purchase, we want to make sure that we are stretching every dollar to the max. So here is one good product I found! :D It's not just something fun to play with, it is also great for learning.
You can guess by its name (Toy Box) that this book contains different activities for the child.
1. It is a CUTE TOY! The colour pictures and legs stimulate visual learning.
2. The crinkle and texture of the pages encourage sensory and tactile learning.
3. There is a squeaky at the head of the toy which stimulates motor skills and audio development
4. The red and blue feet or 2 textile teethers
Lastly, I personally like the red velco strap which you can use to secure the book when you are bringing it out. :) Thoughtful isn't it?
Best of all, Elric loves it!
Woah... This is a lengthy post. :P
Hope my sharing will encourage you to read to your child/baby too!
Instead of letting your child play your iPad, INVEST some time to read and play with them.
You effort will NOT go to waste!
Cheers,
Kaye
So why is reading good for the babies?
It teaches your baby to listen. Remember that your baby does not only learn the words you read, your baby is also learning your tone of voice. So when you read the story to your baby, care to be more expressive. For example, "Woah, that's a BIG elephant!"
"See? That's a smalllll turtle!"
This will help him improve his communication skills. When your baby hears you speak, he is learning too. You may not understand his "Gu gu ga ga ga... bua bu ba ba mumu mama ma..." but he is learning to express by imitating you and that will ultimately improve his communication skills. You will be surprised how expressive your baby can be when he starts to speak!
Reading your baby a story, is also a good time for family bonding. Your baby gets a quality period of time with you. He gets your full attention and he enjoy listening to your voice. :)
There are many types of baby books which are suitable for your baby.
You can always head to the library to grab some books too. Just that the books have passed through many hands. You may want to avoid letting him lick or bite on the book!(>__<)
 |
| Books borrowed from library. Careful to clean their hands after touching and reading. |
Touch and Feel books
These are the books with different texture for babies to touch and learn.
You will see portions of the pictures with a different cloth material to stimulate the child's sense of touch.
Waterproof books
I bought this waterproof book from Campbell Books when Elric was just 3 months.
He loves this book since, and we bring it along whenever we travel out. This waterproof book is great as a bath time activity too. Keep you child occupied with the book while you scrub him clean! :D
 |
| waterproof book from Campbell Books |
Cloth Books
Musical books
My Mother-in-law bought this Fisher Price Musical book for Elric. She bought it from Malaysia but I checked the local pricing. ABOUT $40+!!!! Well, grandma always dotes on their grandchildren. Right? :)
Elric like this book alot too! It's very colours and everytime you spin the round button at the corner, it will introduce the animals on the page and plays a song. I will sing along with it every page I turn.
Activities Book
This is the latest book which I bought. The Playgro Clip Clop Toy Box Teether book. You can find it at http://www.joli-petite.com ($16.90).
 |
| I am still struggling with what animal this is. Pony right??? |
 |
| Elric with his new toy book explorig the legs and tail of the toy. |
1. It is a CUTE TOY! The colour pictures and legs stimulate visual learning.
2. The crinkle and texture of the pages encourage sensory and tactile learning.
3. There is a squeaky at the head of the toy which stimulates motor skills and audio development
4. The red and blue feet or 2 textile teethers
Lastly, I personally like the red velco strap which you can use to secure the book when you are bringing it out. :) Thoughtful isn't it?
Best of all, Elric loves it!
Woah... This is a lengthy post. :P
Hope my sharing will encourage you to read to your child/baby too!
Instead of letting your child play your iPad, INVEST some time to read and play with them.
You effort will NOT go to waste!
Cheers,
Kaye
