My baby just turned 8 months. She's learning how to crawl. She likes to move about and explore. She won't sit still for me to read her a story, and she's been like that for about 2 months. So I gave up, and I quit trying to read to her because she'd just move and wiggle, until I'd put her back on the floor, and then she'd be happy moving and playing.
Is it really bad if I don't read to her? How do I get her to be more interested in listening to stories?
Thank you!
2007-01-07 12:11:44 · 18 answers · asked by Feed the models! 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
She probably won't have the attention span to sit and listen to a story until she's closer to two. Let her play with the books and flip through the pages. If she'll let you, get down and play with her with the books and point to the pictures telling her what everything is. Also, ask her questions like, "where's the puppy on this page?" then point to the picture of the puppy, "There it is!" She'll eventually show you were the puppy is. Turn books into a game and she'll eventually want you to read them to her. It's not a bad thing that you aren't reading to her; let her use the books as a game at first and then you'll be suprised how into reading she'll be!
I hope this helps!
2007-01-07 12:27:07 · answer #1 · answered by niccichick 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sing to her, repeat nursery rhymes as she is trying to fall asleep. Talk to her often as she doing her tasks---crawling, and having her diaper changed. it is the LANGUAGE development that is important---she needs to hear it spoken properly (you know, lay off the baby talk at least sometimes---she needs to learn how words are said properly).
And don't sweat it if she doesn't sit still for too long to be read to! Get one of those tough-board books, or better yet, a cloth book because everything goes in the mouth. Sit for a minute--or as long as she will let you---and "practice" reading the title, and open the book . Make a big deal out of flipping the pages. The flipping and the colors will be most interesting to her, anyway. Read a page---and mostly point out pictures. Get excited! After a minute though she will probably scuttle away, but she HAS learned something about books!
2007-01-07 20:30:01 · answer #2 · answered by * 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son is 9 months and up until a few weeks ago, the only way he would listen to a story is if I sung the words. You could try that. Also, you could try really, really short books, like five pages. Books with tons of pictures and hardly any words. My son also likes it when my husband picks up a book and has a conversation with him about what's in the pictures. My son is also fascinated with my parenting magazines. You could read some of the stuff in those to your baby. I also encourage my son to turn the pages with my help. I let him chew on his board books too. also, don't let her moving around stop you from reading to her. Let her play nearby while you read to her. She will get the benefits of hearing your voice and new words, and will probably want to come and see what's so interesting to you at some point. I wouldn't force reading on her or she could develop a dislike for it. The books that most engage my son are The Cat in the Hat and Hop on Pop by Dr. Suess. Oh, and try doing your best high school drama performance voices when you read to her, and make sound effects, kids love that. Best of luck to you.
2007-01-07 20:29:04 · answer #3 · answered by crazyjmommy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't really read much to my son. But I did talk to him all the time. That is another important usually over looked factor. Think how easy it is to go through the whole day without another adult around just keeping your thoughts in your head. The reason that reading is important is because it gets your baby used to the rhythms of speaking and hearing words. So instead of reading to your baby try narrating your daily activities. The best time to talk to your baby is when they are a captive audience, like in the car. She has nothing to do but listen to you in the car. I'm a big talker anyway and I have always talked to my son just like he understood every word I said. And yes, my son turned out just fine. He was speaking in complete sentences before most kids his age would have been speaking. He still amazes people with his speaking abilities today. Don't feel bad if you don't read to her. Just be involved with her. If she wants to play, let her play but maybe have a baby Einstein video on in the back ground. Or you could sing to her while she plays. The only important thing is that she hears your voice!
2007-01-07 20:44:57 · answer #4 · answered by Amy H 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My girl was considered retarded when she was an infant. She was so much on the move that she was put in a food chair to eat because she was so restless that you couldn't put a spoon in her mouth. So what i did was let her touch everything and then say the word give her those small hard books with just one or two words. It's not so much as the reading as it is the playing and communication with a baby. Oh by the was my daughter is in kindergarten reading at first grade level at age 5. Also I put the story tapes in so she could hear words.
2007-01-07 20:31:53 · answer #5 · answered by michelle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried reading when she's ready for bed? A bedtime story is the greatest thing I remember from being a kid. Of course, I was a lazy little slob, and didn't move around that much.
If she's happy playing, for now, just let her play. If there comes a time when she just wants to sit with you and cuddle, take the opportunity to crack out a Dr. Suess. She's exploring, and learning, and I think that's just as important as being read to.
And she'll probably get back into it when she's a little older.
2007-01-07 20:15:22 · answer #6 · answered by Paige D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 1 year and she doesn't like to be read to, but likes books. If you dont have these already, get your daughter a few books for her age, like puffy or touchy-feely ones. The series of, "That's not my Dragon" and "That's not my Teddy" etc. are my favorite. She will be more interested in touching the pages or just looking at them, than listening to you read. She will eventually become interested. But her crawling, exploring, and hands-on learning is probably most important right now. I do not think it's bad if you choose not to read to her right now. You are clearly very engaged with her and she is fortunate to have such a caring mother.
2007-01-07 21:44:57 · answer #7 · answered by Jenibee 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Babies are born with personalities. My brother & his wife had 5 and no two were alike. You have to get to know your child. Little ones are like sponges and soak up knowledge faster now that they ever will as they grow older. What works for one, won't work for your child.
1. Watch your child and her reactions. How she learns is sort of like if she likes bananas or squash.
2. My son was one of those kids that took things apart and his mechanical appitude started way too young. I got him interested in books by using big pictures and simple books while he was in the car. Dad drove and I kept him content. It means you sit in the back seat but it is a good time for one on one.
3. Some children respond to the mother's touch. Others don't want to be held. They are different. My son responded to my gentle touching his hand or hair while I read to him.. almost petting his soft hair.
Your child is going to be wonderful, you just have to watch her lead. Learning is like everything. The key is "watch the child & her response". Like my son didn't like Disney but loved the sing song of Dr Seuss. He liked stories about farm animals but wasn't interested in Poop Bear. He liked French TV better than Big Bird. (we didn't live on a farm and didn't speak French) I don't know why to this day, I just switched gears.
2007-01-07 20:40:33 · answer #8 · answered by Joanne in Florida 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son will be a year on the 21st of this month. Honestly I could barely hold his attention when I would read to him before (around the age of your baby). Just recently I started reading to him about twice a day and he will sit there. Your baby will let you know when she is ready. Right now I would just tell her everything you are doing to help develop her language skills...like "Mommy is doing the dishes"..blah blah blah! GOod luck!
2007-01-07 20:43:43 · answer #9 · answered by hypnotic_wht_grl_21 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get different books with bright simple illustrations. They don't need to be reading shakespeare now. If she's showing a healthy interest in other things, then don't worry. Other ways you can read to her is to sing nursery songs to her as she plays or as you cook or do chores. She'll recognize them later when you show her the books.right now, take cues from her and don't sweat it.
2007-01-07 20:37:22 · answer #10 · answered by sacredmud 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋