Reading to my 1 year old?

Question

I have a 13 month old son and I wanna start reading books to him. The problem is he can't stay put. I start reading a book to him but he runs away from me! What time is the best time to read to my son, so he can get used to me reading books and love it? Real advice please..preferably from parents

Answer 1

I asked my english professor a similar question and she had said to read to them before nap and bedime but also when they get older to read books to them that are about one level above their reading level. She had said that they tend to learn faster and they won't get bored.

Answer 2

At this age it's not so much the reading that's important (don't get me wrong-- reading is a great thing) as it is the whole concept of looking at a book-- turning pages and exploring what's on them. I agree with the other posters-- take advantage of the quiet time right before bed or after bath time. Sometimes I used to even read to my daughter while she was in the tub (13 mo. might be a bit young for this though). Board books are good, as well as the books with different textures and flaps. It doesn't matter if he doesn't sit through a whole book yet, the point is you are reading to him and that is GREAT. If you start the routine and stick to it, he's sure to be a book lover.

Answer 3

Before bedtime is good - whether it's at night or before naptime in the day. I think it works better, with kids that age (and probably up until they are close to 2 and 1/2 or 3) to talk about the pictures rather than actually read the story. Like, just talk to him. Say things like, "See the pony? That pony is brown. And look - there's the pony's mommy! Hi, pony! Hi, pony's mommy! Oh, look - there's the pony's friend - that's a frog. What does a frog say? Does he say ribbit, ribbit? Yes, that's what the frog says, huh? You're a smart boy!" He will probably point things out to you, and you just keep the steady stream of "chatter," making sure you are praising him, etc. Sometimes these little sessions will only last 3-5 minutes, but that's fine - as he gets older, and he figures out that it is fun to sit on mom's lap and get her undivided attention for awhile, he will sit still for longer and longer periods.

This is what I did with my kids - and all of them are absolutely voracious readers now (14, 10, and 10). And there is probably no more important of a gift that you can give your child, than to instill a love of reading. It is a gift that will last him his whole life through.

Good luck - hope this helps!

Answer 4

I am a teacher and a mom of a 7 year old and 14 month old twins. My son at that age and my twins love small board books with bright pictures. They also love the books with different textures (little fabric pieces, cloth or fur on puppies/kittens etc) they also love the interactive books (with the music boards on the side). All of my kids are really active so I totally understand what you mean about sitting still. Don't expect him to sit for more than a minute or two. He will build endurance as you continue to read to him and as he gets older.

Answer 5

At that age, he is ready to explore, and won't sit still for very long, as you've found! A good time to read is when he gets up from a nap, or is getting ready for bed, and feels a bit snuggly. The best time is anytime you want to and he'll listen and look. Carry a board book in your purse or diaper bag and pull it out at the store when you're waiting in line.

Make sure the books you are reading with him are board books so he won't tear them up, and have lots of pictures of things that interest him. At this age, board books that are basically cardboard pictures bound together, with a word or two per page are what you want.

Congrats on wanting to give your child a love of books!

Answer 6

My nephew did the same thing, but he loved the pictures. So I would look at the picture and just tell him what the characters were doing and pick out a quote and make it the most exciting thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And he seemed to always look up at me then come over to see the picture.

And also I found that my nephew LOVES cars and trucks so after getting many books about those he LOVES those.

Try and find something he loves, like dogs, or barney.

Goodluck and keep reading it will stimulate his imagination!

Answer 7

i read to my daughter in the evening after her bath when she is a bit sleepy. she still turns the pages before i finish reading each one so i kind of condense the story. we look at "brown bear, brown bear what do you see?" but rather than concentrating on reading the words too much i point out the colors of each animal or the sounds that they might make. i really think that sitting down with them and a book is more important than actually getting through the book. at least they're learning about the basic idea of reading! hope this helps some!

Answer 8

if he's still taking a bottle, do it then while he gets sleepy. or whatever time of day he's likely to be relaxed. He can't possibly be running every second. use books with bright pictures that have easy words......you'd be shocked how much they can pick up before they talk. My boys loved the Maisy mouse books. you can still get them, they're simple, bright, short and eventually when they learned to talk, they had the books memorized.
if you find something nice to look at, he'll stay still longer.

Answer 9

I have a 2 year old a 14 month old. They each have their own room so when I lay them in bed I sit next to them and read to them and they slowly fall asleep. My 2 year old loves going to the book shelf and being ale to pick out a story.

Answer 10

set a time in the evening or even in the morning make him part of the process have him pick the book give him some options or stories he gets into. I have a daughter and girls have different energy so that could be part of it. but even with a groups of little ones this process of making a ritual of it and having the child choose the book usually works.

Answer 11

Just before bedtime, read short stories like Dr. Seuss books. Or any book with lots of pictures. And don't forget to show him the pictures that's whats going to make him enjoy your reading.