: I read in many books that it is now time to read aloud to my 7-month-old daughter. They say it doesn't matter what I read-that I just have to put her on my knees and read aloud. The problem is that whenever I try this Marta reaches out to grab the book or newspaper and wants to put it in her mouth. She doesn't pay attention to my reading. Thus reading to her doesn't give me the pleasure of doing something useful and interesting for her. How can I deal with this? Is it too early for her to be read aloud to?
Your daughter sounds like a normal, healthy, curious seven-month-old. It can be confusing to figure out what to do with all of the advice available for parents. It is important to remember that you are the one who knows your daughter best, and therefore, you are the one in the best position to make a decision about what works for her. The idea behind reading to a seven-month old is for the baby and parent to spend some time talking together, looking at pictures, and developing a joy of reading together. However, many infants are much more interested in all of the other learning activities available-like rolling over, crawling, sitting up, watching everything around them, mouthing toys, vocalizing, playing peek-a-boo, learning communication tools and interacting with loved ones. There are many ways you can help your daughter learn to love language and to enjoy books. Here are some ideas:
. Try books that are durable, mouth-proof, and simple with familiar pictures. If books are going to work with babies, it is important that they aren't fragile. Babies will mouth, grab, bat, shake and crawl over books. As well, it is helpful to find books with simple pictures of things that the baby knows; dogs, cats, birds, people in her family, other babies, strollers, etc. Some parents put together little picture books in plastic sleeved, small albums using their own photos of familiar things.
. Introduce books gradually. If the first time you introduce a book to your baby, she is totally uninterested, wait a couple of weeks before you try again. When she is ready, she'll let you know. You don't have to keep trying to contentiously read to a child who is eating the book and squirming off your lap.
. Use poems songs, and storytelling. There are lots of ways to enjoy language with babies who aren't interested in books. Simple poems and songs which are repeated to children become treasured experiences over time. You can sing your favorite songs to your child and you can just make up little songs to sing about what you are doing. "This is the way we wash your tummy, wash your tummy, wash your tummy. This is the way we wash your tummy, so early in the morning…."
Storytelling is also fun with young children. Even before children can talk, they enjoy hearing stories about their day. "We went for a walk today and we say a big, fluffy dog. Then it started to rain and I wrapped you up in a blanket-just like this!" Children also enjoy stories, songs or poems which have hand motions attached to them. They can learn to ask for a particular favorite even before they can talk, just by doing the hand motion.
. Talk to your baby. Before children can learn to appreciate the written word, they need to learn oral language. Taking opportunities throughout the day to talk to your baby about what you are doing, what she is doing, and what she is looking at provides a rich language environment for her.
. Responding to her vocalizations. The other part of teaching language is listening and responding to your baby's sounds. Infants develop complex verbal and non-verbal ways to communicate before they fully learn language. Your receptiveness to her communication will teach her that it works and will encourage her to learn your language.
. Have pictures available. Many babies who aren't yet interested in books enjoy pictures. You can use plastic sleeves or cover pictures in plastic and put them on the wall at baby's level. You can also leave them out where babies can pick them up and explore them. Some people take medium-sized cardboard boxes and weight them with a little sand, fill them with newspaper, seal them, and cover them with pictures and clear contact paper. When babies are still immobile, they can look at the pictures. When they become mobile, they can crawl over, pull-up and even push the box around.
. Enjoy books yourself. Creating a language-rich environment by having books and magazines around your home, and by enjoying reading yourself will eventually lure your daughter to enjoy language and reading as much as you do.
