Isn’t it wonderful if your toddler gradually starts wanting to read?
If there is one question that has been on my mind for some time now, it’s how to get my toddler interested in reading? Those of you who have been reading me for some time now know that I had been dreaming of turning M into a reader ever since she was born. In fact, even before that. This was one of the things I used to dream about when I was carrying her. M and I would walk into a bookstore and browse through books, happy in the company of each other and the countless possibilities presented by the books surrounding us. Both of us lost in our books at home on a rainy day. Perfect, isn’t it?
How My Daughter Is Gradually Getting Interested in Reading. Click To Tweet
I think when she was just 4 months old I went ahead and wrote about making her fall in love with books. I really, really wanted to share this passion with her. Slowly as the months passed, I realised that reading is something I couldn’t force her to fall in love with. It had to come naturally. So, even though I wanted her to discover this wonderful world of books which is often my refuge, I stopped forcing her to. I stopped willing it. And then suddenly one fine day, she herself came to me at night before bed asking me to read her books.
Now, whether this is that crack that’ll open the door to a wonderful world of books to her, only time will tell.
You can’t imagine how happy I felt. Elated, really. No matter how tired I was on that night, I decided to subtly encourage her. So, we sat down reading stories, identifying vegetables, animals and colours. She loved it. Needless to say, I slept a little better that day. Of course, in a perfect world, this would have happened a long time ago and it would be certain to last too.
Now, it’s not magic so it’s not that she always wants to be read to. Not every night. Not yet. But I am noticing that for the past week or so, she has been asking me to read to her from a few of her books almost regularly. Her favourite being Pepper at the Table at the moment.
I don’t know how long this interest will last if it will last at all. But I’m not going to turn her away when she wants to be read to. At least, not unless I’m dead tired. Anyway. I think one of the reasons why she suddenly wanted to be read to is because S and I both always read something before going to bed. And she must have seen that being right there with us. While I read my fiction and non-fiction, S is busy with reading things that interest him, economics, history and so much more. Perhaps, this has made her garner an interest in reading. I don’t know. They say that children emulate their parents so maybe this is one thing we are doing right. Now, whether this is that crack that’ll open the door to a wonderful world of books to her, only time will tell. Till then, wish us luck!
Before you go, tell me if you have any tips and tricks. Also, are there any books I can buy for her? What would you recommend? Also, any pointers to websites specifically selling books for children?
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Isn’t it amazing when the child shows an interest in reading? I’m so glad she is along you to read to her. Best sign of an interest developing. One of the best things I can recommend is letting your kids watch you read. Nothing works better than that. Next is to have lots of books lying around all over the house. I know that will make it messy and seriously conflicts with my type A persona of keeping things clutter free but it motivates kids to read like nothing else. Then, let them read anything. Anything at all. Comics for as long as they want for example. Gets them hooked to reading. Oh I love this post 🙂
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My kids are still too young to read but I try to read to them every night. They seein to live it. I hope it gets them interested in reading when they get older. Reading is such an important thing for children to do.
I don’t have any kids, so I can’t recommend anything from experience, but I would say that it’s amazing to see that she has an interest in reading. Maybe you can ask her what she would like to read about next. 🙂
That’s amazing that your daughter has shown interest in reading. These days with mobile phones and tablets, lesser and lesser kids are reading. When I saw that my 9 year old nephew had not even heard of Harry Potter books (he knew the movies but never seen them), I was surprised. So this is good.
That’s awesome your daughter is showing an interest. In todays world writing and reading can feel like a dying artform. My own toddler loves to read as well. I can’t recommend any books though, even with my toddler what he wants and is interested in reading each week changes like the wind. He definitely gravitates towards things with more pictures, which makes sense.
Really happy that your daughter has started to love books. Children should expose to books since babies, I know they can’t read but at least they are expose to the colors and pictures in it. You will see more benefits when she gets bigger, especially when enter primary school and high school, the kids who read a lot think differently from a kid who doesn’t reads. Big congrats to you on your effort that you spend on your daughter and keep reading to her till 12 years old 🙂 There is never a time limit and this is great bonding time too.
Reading shouldn’t be forced on children. The more that we push it, the more that they turn away from it. I remember, I was already a freshman in high school when I learned to love reading. And it’s all because of the young adult series Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal. And after that, there was no turning back. I just keep on buying books and reading them by the dozen. 🙂 I suggest just expose your child to books appropriate for her age. And I wouldn’t be too critical of her choice either. If she likes Billy’s Farting Adventure so be it! 🙂
Reading shouldn’t be forced on children. The more that we push it, the more that they turn away from it. I remember, I was already a freshman in high school when I learned to love reading. And it’s all because of the young adult series Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal. And after that, there was no turning back. I just keep on buying books and reading them by the dozen. 🙂 I suggest just expose your child to books appropriate for her age. And I wouldn’t be too critical of her choice either. If she likes Billy’s Farting Adventure so be it! 🙂 Good luck!
It’s so great that your daughter is slowly starting to develop a passion for reading – now by you and later, by herself. It’s good that you are not forcing her, as always the things that are pushed will not grow into passions.
Reading is like escaping into another world. So great your daughter has caught the reading bug!
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This is amazing. I really hope my son will love reading as much as I do, we’re introducing him to books now – I really hopes he loves it.
I love this! My kids always had books in their rooms since I love reading, and I wanted them to as well.
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I don’t have any children, so I can’t suggest anything as a matter of fact, yet I would state that it’s stunning to see that she has an enthusiasm for perusing. Perhaps you can ask her what she might want to pursue about straightaway.
I know how happy you must’ve been, Naba. With my second one I’m at a similar place. He is not much interested in reading. We have plenty of books at home from the time he was born and he likes to flip through couple of pages of his board books before he starts chewing on them. He never sits with me to point the pictures and read. But his big brother was reading with me from the beginning itself. By the time Kanna turned 18 months we had quite a lot of favorite books. I’m waiting for my little one to show such interest. Thing he loves to grab his brother’s books and flip through them. And I mostly read ebooks which doesn’t help in leading by example I guess. There are quite a lot of books for your M which I can recommend. Will browse through our collection and ping you later.
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This is amazing, one definitely would feel very happy when their kids get interested in reading. Let her explore whatever she wants to read, she will generate her own taste.
As far as I remember, I was always very interested in reading. Even from a very early age! Reading is so amazing! such great adventures in books!
It’s a wonderful thing when to see children reading. You are doing a great job getting her interested. It’s also w fun family activity that you can do together.
I remember the day my daughter stated reading and how excited she was when she actually understood what she read! She is in college now, and I will never forget the day she started reading. It’s just wonderful to read your post.
Glad to hear that your daughter is picking up her interest for reading. I love watching my kid reads, because I know that he’s learning new things and fun adventure from the books. Dr Seuss is my son’s fave when he was little and still is now.
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I don’t have a kids yet but I think this post gave me idea on how can I teach my kids in the future about reading. and also I love reading books. this post it really helps.
I remember when my son was born our neighbor gave us a few books. He said, oh so what age should we start reading? She said, tonight (he was a month old). We thought it was weird, but we did and to this day we read to him almost every night. Mainly Daddy! He loves reading and of course picks most of his books. Great to know your little one is there too.
It’s very interesting to see such a small child take interest in reading..that’s so lovely and I hope that she grows up to enjoy writing like her mom. I think that visual books will be fine for her since images tend to aid in memory.
My niece loves books but does’t know how to read yet. I think we are getting there tho.
It’s great that you consciously stopped forcing her to read! Hope you both have a lot of bonding time reading books.