Good morning! How do you start reading to a baby? Choose the times when both you and Baby are awake and free of any chores. This is quality time spent with your child - choose the best time that suits both of you. All you need is 15 minutes.
For Hubby, it’s usually late afternoons when both of them are alert while I need a nap. He enjoyed entertaining Baby during this time.
15 minutes before bedtime is best for me. If Baby’s bedtime is 8.00 pm (about 3-4 months old), I’d bring him to the room at about 7.45 pm. I’d switch off the lights and settle him next to me. His chubby legs are wrapped around a bolster and he’s happily sucking his pacifier, with big eyes turned towards me.
I face him and softly sing 3-4 nursery rhymes or songs. My favourites were “Edelweiss”, “Rock a bye, baby” and “Seek Ye First”. These gentle songs lulled both of us to sleep.
Remember to avoid action songs as it’ll perk Baby up, keep him awake and then, you’ll get Mr. Cranky!
At other times, you can also try:
1. Reading your newspaper aloud - just pretend you’re a newscaster or better yet, a sports commentator and read aloud the section you’re on. Babies just love their mother’s or father’s voices and will be entertained while you catch up on the latest scoop!
Initially, Hubby wasn’t sure how to do it and I encouraged him to start with his *favourite* sports pages. Soon, he was reading to baby the latest exploits of La Liga, Liverpool or whatever shenanigans his then favourite Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, was up to.
“See…this is Ronaldo. Wah…he’s a very good footballer you know but now he has a sports injury and he’s not playing as well as he used to. What’s a sports injury? Erm…he fell down and broke his leg. His leg pain-pain, ouch, hor?”
I love watching father and son bond through this special session!
2. Reciting nursery rhymes - I love to sing but I know many Mums who’d pay money or throw in a sickie (medical leave) just to avoid karaoke sessions 
If you have a sing-song voice, then sing your favourite rhymes to baby.
Rhymes are an introduction to the sounds and rhythm of language. Also, as they grow older, babies will:
- associate the rhymes with happy times spent with Mummy and Daddy;
- feel secure when the rhymes are recited. Anything familiar comforts them and you’ll be amazed by how fast Baby stops crying when you start reciting a rhyme in a soft, soothing voice;
- pick up language learning faster as the rich vocabulary in the rhymes give them a head start
- feel confident about themselves when they start reading because they can point out so many things in the book!
You can also work in some actions using baby’s arms and legs (best to start when baby is about 2 months old as both of you have settled into your new roles and Baby is not swaddled up).
A cheap and easy start is the Ladybird Favourite Nursery Rhymes – it’s small, it’s colourful and it only costs RM9.90 ( less than US$4). Slowly, your toddler will claim ownership of the book and you’re well on your way to developing an independent reader!
You will also give your child a headstart to preschool since he or she will master them by age 3 or 4
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Not sure why my girl (17 months) is afraid of us reading books. She always says “pa pa” (mandarin work – English means scare) when I read aloud the newspaper or story book. The Day care taker told us that she has misinterpreted “pa pa” because she thinks that it means “hate” or “dislike”. And, sometimes when DJs speaks in the radio station, she also says “pa pa”. We now kept on telling her “no no, no pa pa”.
Btw, I like your sharing in blog or here. Are you in China now? Working from home?
Chenal – Hi! Your girl sounds really smart as she can tell you she’s scared/dislikes something We only read the newspaper to Lucas when he was < 1 year old. After that, I moved on to picture books.
Why don’t you try picture books of things she likes? Check out the books under the “toddler” category. Most toddlers like books of animals, kiddy things or familiar items from home.
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, we’re in China now and yes, I’m a WAHM. Do keep in touch, ok?
Oh~ that 15 min read together with kids really very precious
Lil Prince’s Mum – Oh yes! That 15 mins will grow, grow and grow and soon, they’ll want to read 4-5 books everyday