My 1 year old is obsessed with me reading her books?

Question

My 16 month old keeps bringing me books constantly its all she ever seems to want to do, I know reading books is a good thing but I am getting a little fustrated with it.
I have tried distracting her with drawing, toys etc but she plays for about 2 minutes then goes and gets another book. I'm not going to
hide all the books that would be mean as she enjoys them somuch, I just want to know if anyone else had this phase and howe long its going to last!

I mean she wants me to read her books every sdeond of every day.
Literally. I am reading to her right now

Answer 1

This happens to ALL kids. They like the repitition. You'll be able to recite these books soon. It's normal. I used to do it to my mom all the time as a kid - over thirty years later, we can still recite some of the Dr. Seuss books! (But I also started reading on my own by kindergarten and in first grade, had the reading ability of a sixth grader.)

Look at this way - reading is good. Be glad you're not stuck watching the same Barney video (or another annoying one) for eight hours day like some kids!

Answer 2

I have exactly the same problem, my 18 month old is constantly bringing me books and I am unable to get anything done without a small hand tugging my leg to go and read!
I admit to having moved all her books upstairs and I bring a basket down every morning with a selection, just about half a dozen or so, we read them, she looks at them but it seems to have taken the urgency away a little. She seems more able to play with her other toys when there isn't so many books to distract her.
We also have a rotation system for toys, things she hasn't played with for a while get taken upstairs and other ones get brought down, it seems to be working pretty well.
Good luck!

Answer 3

hi at that age children don't understand that they cant do this every second of every day, it is good that she likes books so much, could you not try encouraging her to sit and look at the book while you do something else, say mummy is very busy at the minute sweetheart u look at it then later i will read it to you when i have finished what I'm doing, i know it will be hard but if you stick at it then sometime in the maybes near future she will learn that she has to do it herself sometimes, i know it's very frustrating so i wish you all the luck in the world, the only other thing to do is just be strong and say no and then don't do it she will probably scream and shout but she will soon learn that when u say no u mean it, its very hard at that age as like i said earlier they r too young to really understand, it may just be a passing vase and she will move on to something else she wants you to help with every second of every day, if you r doing your house work ask her to help you to distract her give her a duster or a old rag, let her help you make the bed, get her toy hoover out when u get yours that kind of thing, hope ive been of some help to you.

Answer 4

If this is the biggest problem you have in life, consider yourself blessed beyond measure. You have a smart, loving child who will succeed in life because of her devotion to literature and love of the written word. You may think me quick to call it such, but your little girl is obviously fascinated with the way the markings on a page can compel you to recite a story. This is the beginning of a love affair with learning through books.

Encourage this behavior and under no circumstances inhibit it. Make other toys availible to her, but at all times be present for her desire to read. Brushing her aside because you have "work" to do is neglectful of the gift you have in this child.

If you must have a break, take her to storytime at a library. Consider getting books on tape to give your voice the occasional - and I do mean occasional - rest. Have her read to her animals and hold the pages open as the tape goes along. My preschoolers loved this.

Remember that phases like this one can vanish quickly, so take advantage of it while it's here.

Answer 5

This is pretty normal. The only way to deal with it is to establish rules about the book and stick to them. You have to make sure he understands the rules, so tell him ahead of time--more than once. For example: about 1/2 an hour before bed tell him that it's going to be bedtime in 1/2 an hour and he can keep playing or you two can cuddle in bed and look at the book, but that WHATEVER HE CHOOSES, at bedtime the book is going to daddy's room until after breakfast in the morning. Do this again at 15 mins before bed (it's going to be bedtime in 15 min, do you want to keep playing or go read the book--remember, at bedtime the book goes to daddy's room until after breakfast tomorrow.) Then follow through--at bedtime, the book goes to daddy's room--and don't make a big deal out of it--the more calmly you behave the more convincing it will be that this is the way things are now and that it will be okay. If you get upset because he's upset, then that reinforces for him that things are not okay because daddy's upset too--so don't go overboard with the comforting about the book. When he throws a tantrum, which he will for the first few nights--maybe a week or so--just explain that you told him the rule and this how it is and that he can have the book back in the morning after breakfast. Make it after breakfast because then there's no question as to what time in the morning he gets the book back--it's not as soon as he wakes up, or as soon as you get up, or as soon as the sun gets up, or is it morning yet (at midnight)--it's a very concrete--after breakfast, so if breakfast hasn't happened, no book--that's something even a young child can understand easily. If he gets up at night freaked out about the book; just remind him of the rules and that he can have the book in the morning after breakfast, but that right now is still sleepy time and he needs to go back to sleep/bed. Enforce this. Stay calm and again don't over-comfort -- he needs you to act like this is normal and okay so that he can slowly start to believe that it IS normal and okay. Hang in there--this will take time, but you can do it and it will be MUCH nice once he adjusts! ^_^ (though there might be an occasional relapse esp. if he gets sick or really tired, so don't freak out if that happens, just stick to the rules)

Answer 6

Best answer, deal with it. She will benefit greatly from having you read her books, and she will find other aspects to entertain herself. Keep reading but keep encouraging other beneficial activities, such as drawing, listening to music, watching Sesame Street, playing outside, etc...
When you need to do something else like your bills, or cook, or whatever, it is important to reinforce the concept that she cannot always get what she wants and must listen to your authority, however remember to be positive, she is very impressionable.
Perhaps give her some crayons and suggest she write a book and then read it to you.

Answer 7

That's absolutely wonderful - a love of books is a great start in life! Pretty soon she may start 'reading' them with you - anticipating the words, correcting you if you change them etc - then she's on the way to reading for herself. I remember it can be a bit frustrating tho' - I used to think if I had to read 'The Elves and the Shoemaker' one more time to my two boys I would scream! It was worth it though - both graduates with good professions and lovely with it now.

Answer 8

FIrst off be grateful & happy that she loves to be read to!! Yaaaay!! lol, but if it does get annoying get her those books that come with a cassette tape, so she can follow along with that. That may help. Otherwise just read to her wehn you can & if you cant try new things to get her interrested in & say sorry honey but I'm busy I cant read to you right now but I promise I will later & keep your promise, but also when you say that find soemthing to distract her, puzzles, toys,games, dolls, flash cards,tv,pets,music,pictures,drawing,coloring,sports, fix her a snack,talk to her, or have her help you with whatever your doing. lol good luck!!! Hope I or someone else helps you out oh & tell her you are happy that she lllikes reading & thats its great exc exc. o and maybe playdoo or lol i dont know what lese you could try to distract her, shiney objects lol

Answer 9

Thats fantastic! if only all kids were like that. Join a library, they often have baby sessions where they have storytellers and she love that as well as giving you a break. Also try to involve her in the things you are doing, that way she'll start to enjoy other things with mummy. Give her a duster, a pan and wooden spoon etc. Great way to start life though, should be encouraged. Also, try getting her to 'read' stories to a doll or teddy!

Answer 10

Its cute, my 17 month old is not as bad she picks a book of the shelve before bed and daytime nap its usually bob the builder, but she will sit on her beanbag down stairs and read and draw during the day