In our family and friends, first time parents are surprised to receive books as gifts from us for their newborn. It is the last thing they expect for their baby and don’t understand the need of it but I know from our experience that it’s never too early to start reading.
When Eira was 3 months old, I got her a book after a lot of research. It was “The hungry caterpillar” by Eric Carle. When Eira saw the book, her eyes grew wider. The beautiful illustrations caught her attention and she just went cooing and smiling. She would gaze at it for hours.
We inculcated the habit of reading together on a daily basis. Sometimes as a routine and other times because she chose to. There was nothing like a good stack of books that would calm her. She became a little bookworm.
When I was pregnant the second time, Eira had already started basic level reading on her own. As doctors suggested, she used to read to my bump. Classic books, baby books, sing aloud, etc. She would make up stories of her own telling the baby how the world was, what the baby is like now and what a good sister she wil be! Reading became a way for her to connect with the little one.
When Eric was born, we noticed that along with me he would react to Eira’s voice also very well. The first book I got him was “Baby’s very first black and white book of animals” from Usborne. The high contrast pictures of the book are lovely for newborns. Later we moved to the hungry caterpillar and other books from Eira’s library. Eric is now 8 months old, and it amazes us the interest he shows when he sees a book. Books over toys is his preference now.
Eira has taken over Non-Fiction now and can’t have enough of it while Eric wants to have every book of his sister. Reading has helped them both in many ways and their bond just grows stronger and stronger with it.
Reading books acts as a friend. It teaches kids about themselves and the world around. It is one of the best things we can do for them and along with them. Introducing books early in life enhances the way kids perceive the world and helps their growth in an unimaginable way.
Happy Reading !!!!! 📚📚📚
My World with Eira 
Early reading habits are very important as it helps in developing cognitive skills in children… You can try the Peppa Pig sticker book for your kids. It is very amazing. And it is so true that those mums who read books during their pregnancy, their kids also start reading books early. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading your blog, and lots of love to Eira and your younger one.. they both are super cute. 🙂
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Even I am planning to start with reading for my 4 year son. I love reading but he does not.
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Thanks for the great tips…I might be a little late for this but I can still try and inculcate reading habits in the children of my class through your wonderful tips 😍
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Keep trying! It’s a wonderful habit to be picked up no matter the age!
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Thank you so much for these useful tips! Reading is a very important habit and as a family we have been practicing for a long time. Loved your suggestion about the book, I will pick it up for sure. Keep writing and spreading knowledge. 🙂
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Thanks for the encouragement! 😊
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Reading opens so many doors of thoughts and creativity in kids.Thank you for sharing your experience.Picture books and hard bound books are the best books to introduce to kids.Also I think its imperative to read to kids when they are in the womb 💛 Such a beautiful blog
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Early reading habit is really important for kids. My son had started showing interest and I have got him many books which he can start with.
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Early reading can be joyful at the later stage ! It leads to so many thoughts, creativity, better understand & better learner. There is definitely some kid of positively in your blog. You always write with so kind words. 🙂
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Reading is indeed a fabulous hobby n habit. Both my kids love books n Aayera is able to read on her own now. I am a reader myself n skewer my kids see me n they too want to be around books most of the time
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Thankyou so much for these wonderful tips , I can work with these on my daughter .
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I grew up eating books. I was a fast reader. So, I thought my son will take after me. Unfortunately, he didn’t. I would read him stories every night until recently when I decided to give up. I just HAD NO choice. Early reading habits work ONLY and only if your child is really motivated. So, we just tell stories- each night, every single night. My heart still bleeds, but perhaps he will take after me, one day 🙂
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Wow one of the most useful article seen by me in recent times. great work
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