R for Reading
I love reading books and used to be an avid reader. There were days when I would basically do nothing but finish a book. But now I don’t get as much time and reading has taken a back seat.
When I was expecting my elder one, I used to read a lot. She was born in the US and there was a big public library near our place. Every day, I used to visit it, rent books and spend most of my time reading. I think that is why elder one is an avid reader too and loves to read. Actually, she is little more than I was and we have to sometimes stop her from reading as we are worried about her eyes.
When she was a toddler, we bought many story books for her and I used to read with her. And surely that helped her to develop a love for reading. On weekends, she used to look forward to our library visits.
I feel reading is a very good habit and moms should start reading to babies as small as 6 months as it helps in better bonding with them. But, hard bound books are always better than the normal books for them. Also, picture books are really helpful with small children where moms can point to different pictures and ask questions. This can help in improving vocabulary, developing a sense of curiosity and a good speech development.
And when they are little older, you read little and then they read little. This will help them to gain confidence in reading.
[bctt tweet=”Reading is a good habit. Read with your child and encourage them to read #Deewrites #Parenting” username=”Deepagandhi1″]
My younger one is not that much interested in reading but she is developing the habit slowly. I encourage her by taking her to a library or a bookstore. Some of my mom friends have started a group where we meet once a month and kids exchange their books. My younger one enjoys these play dates and likes the concept of exchanging books with her friends.
Do you love reading? Do you encourage your child to read? Share with me your stories and ideas to inculcate this good habit.
I am writing about Parenting for A to Z challenge and sharing my thoughts as a mother of a teen and a tween. Sharing my personal experiences as a mom and hope to help other moms and also learn from them through this challenge. Read all posts here.
A for Affection
B for Believe
C for Confidence
D for Dance
E for Extracurricular
F for Food
G for Guilty
H for Hacks
I for Independent
J for Joint or Nuclear
K for Kindness
L for Looks
M for Money
N for Nutrition
O for Overprotective
P for Poles apart
Q for Questions
April 21, 2017 at 9:07 am
My mom was studying for her exams when she was pregnant with me… That probably turned me into an avid reader. True, kids should be encouraged to read books. It will widen their mind.
April 21, 2017 at 9:35 am
Same happened with my elder one. My love for reading turned her into an avid reader. Thanks, Raj 🙂
April 21, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I think reading is the best habit anyone can have. Glad Kashish loves reading, Deepa.
April 21, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Thanks Mayuri
April 21, 2017 at 1:53 pm
I love reading too buddy and so does my little one. After reading he has to mandatorily narrate it to me which also polishes his communication skills. Thus reading actually has multiple side advantages too ?
April 21, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Agree Roma.. Thanks 🙂
April 21, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Reading is really a good habit. You never feel lonely if you have a book to read. I think it should be inculcated in the early years so that it can become a part of their system.
April 21, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Thank you 🙂
April 21, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Reading really is a great habbit and so much fun. It introduces one to new ideas, places, stories, great stories and it’s very entertaining. You can thesedays make it more fun for kinds by reading it with voice modulation, narrating it your style, singing stuff from story if there are songs. I like story writing so reading stories inspire me to write as well. If i have kid I would read them Narnia, Lord of the rings, Harry potter… the characters there are lot of fun. Nowadays every famous person writes a book or has a authobiography on him, so books are great.
April 21, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts 🙂
April 21, 2017 at 7:49 pm
I love reading. I can’t sit without reading something. I am teaching my daughter the joys of reading by telling her stories at bedtime. Great post Deepa.
April 22, 2017 at 9:32 am
Oh, this is one thing everybody should encourage their child for. Reading brings so many good things to you as a person. It changed my life and it has changed lives of so many people I know.
April 22, 2017 at 10:40 am
Thanks Anmol
April 22, 2017 at 12:31 pm
I don’t have children, but I do think encouraging them to read is so important. Many educators say that reading and handwriting help the brain develope, and reading certainly helps develope a skill to emphatise with others, which is so much needed today.
My parents were never hard readers, but my father brought me to the library when I was very little. I’ve been a reader ever since. I never go anywhere without a book in my handbag. It’s become second nature, if I don’t have a book with me at all times, I feel naked.
Didn’t take much for me to become like this, just a little nudge from my parents 😉
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
April 22, 2017 at 12:47 pm
I agree ..parents can teach kids by right guidance. Thanks a lot for stopping by and sharing your thoughts 🙂
April 22, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Ah – I do so much of this and my eldest (now 7) still struggles. It all sounds so great in theory, but once you have a kid with challenges – wow – so difficult. We have tutors, and she is certainly interested in books and stories. But actual reading? Not so much.
April 22, 2017 at 8:59 pm
All children are different and I can understand what you are saying. She will be fine. Thanks for reading Louise. 🙂
April 24, 2017 at 11:12 am
Reading is one of the best things a mom can do for a newly born. It really develops the brain, helps them with their cognitive abilities and ofcourse, communication power! Reading while pregnant is another good thing to do. Of course, I have heard of these things, you are much more experienced than me in this field Deepa, and what you have been doing is a great thing. Cultivating the habit of reading in your kids at an early age would help them with many things in the future!
Research is very important, but how much research do writers put in?
Regards,
Pikakshi
Readers of the Night
April 24, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Thanks Pikakshi 🙂
April 25, 2017 at 12:19 am
Reading is something that I encourage in every child I meet. It’s the best gift you can give to any child.
April 25, 2017 at 11:35 am
Thanks Shilpa 🙂
September 10, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Yeah, I too believe that we should read to our children from day 1. I am trying to inculcate reading habit in my toddler too. It does become a task, at times, cuz she doesn’t let go of reading. 🙂