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Why Read to Babies?
August 28, 2012
Teachers are people who start things they never see finished, and for which they never get thanks until it is too late.
-Max Forman
- Reading time is a time when I am held and loved.
- Every time we read I hear how words are used, listen to rich language, and learn new words.
- Things come in different colors, sizes, and shape.
- It’s fun to play with language, and explore rhythm, rhyme and humor.
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- Dragon Mom
- Family Conferencing: Asking and Listening
- How Does it Feel?: Child Care From Families' Perspectives
- Meeting the Needs of Today's Families
- Parent Relations: Building an Active Partnership
- Top Ten Preschool Parenting Problems
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Fairfield, CA, United States
08/28/2012 12:00 am
I have an alternative view to Luckenbill's reasons to read to babies. There are other, more developmentally appropriate, ways for babies to learn colors and shapes, expand language, and play with words. Of course, we all want a baby to feel love and appreciate being held, but it doesn't take a book to do that. We all want babies to grow up to be good readers, but I'd like to suggest other ways to provide a solid basis for later reading skills. I'm a advocate for the Pikler approach and for RIE, both of which have important messages about what babies need. I think reading to babies is more for adult pleasure and maybe their sense of security about doing "the right thing". Reading books in my experience isn't a vital requirement. It doesn't hurt but it's more important that the adult understands about all the other practices that fulfill babies' needs and help them discover themselves as learners!