We have some catching up to do! Last September, we invited Megan Collins, a first-time mom, to share with us her experiences and insights about early literacy. A graduate in psychology from Bishop’s University, Megan pursued her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology in Calgary. Currently, she is taking some time off from her position as a school psychologist for the Calgary Board of Education to be with her twins, Sarah Lynn and Lauren Anne, who were born in March 2011.
Megan’s first blog revealed some helpful approaches to reading with newborns.
I was always planning on introducing books as early as possible to my twin girls. I started to sit and read books to them when they were about 3 months old. I sat them in my lap and held the book out in front of them. I tried to read to them at least once a day and I found that they did show some interest in the pictures and listening to my voice. When they looked away or got cranky I took this as a cue that they had enough or needed a different activity (or needed to go down for a nap!). As they got older they began to reach out to the books and want to try and turn the pages. I noticed that their excitement and interest in the books had increased whenever we sat down to read together.
Megan and Lauren reading
Board books are great for babies because as they get older they can grab the pages themselves, and even attempt to turn them! I have read a few regular “paper page” books to them, however, at this stage with all the grabbing they are doing (they are 6 months now) the board books work best. I have learned that reading time is great as a transition period for babies when going from playtime to naptime or bedtime. I learned very quickly that my girls did not enjoy going straight to their crib after all the excitement of playing in their gym or playing with their toys on the carpet, and reading a book to encourage a soothing and calming state was the perfect solution!
When reading books to my girls, I usually take my time and allow them to look at the pictures and manipulate the pages. Once I have read through the story I often let them “play” with the book, which entails grabbing at pages, attempting to turn pages, or trying to put the corner of the book in their mouth. I think this is very important for them to be comfortable with handling books and learning how to hold them and look at them. From what I have read in the literature on language development, reading to babies is very important because this is how they learn about the sounds, patterns, and rhythms of our language.
And now in December, how are Megan, Sarah and Lauren coming along?
The girls’ interest in books has certainly increased over the past couple of months! They are now 8 months old and able to turn the pages of board books on their own. They love turning the pages so much that it seems to be the main focus while we read as they attempt to turn the page before I have finished reading the sentences on that page! I try to hold the page down until I am finished reading so they can learn the pace of reading and understand that we turn the page when a pause in reading occurs.
Sarah with her book!
When playing on the carpet with their toys, if they catch a glimpse of the pile of books nearby they try and make their way over and grab at the books. If I start to read to one while the other is playing, the one that is playing will stop and look over in our direction, showing interest in wanting to be part of story time. They are still very interested in putting the edges of the books in their mouths (they are teething!), but I do notice that as we are reading together they are starting to spend more time looking at the pictures and touching the pictures.
They are also beginning to laugh or giggle at certain parts of stories where I change my voice with excitement or surprise. It is very exciting to watch their interest in books grow every day! I am still reading to them as a transition from playtime to nap or bedtime which really works great because my girls are both very active during playtime and reading a book on my lap seems to help them enter a more peaceful and calm state preparing them for sleep.
Thank you, Megan, Sarah and Lauren for blogging with us. We wish you a very Merry (First) Christmas!
Megan’s posts will appear in the Parent’s section of the website.
Remember, the gift of reading is the gift that keeps on giving! Our storybook suggestion for the holidays is The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Enjoy this wordless storybook!
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