Just intrigued...tiny tots 'memorising' story books...do yours do it?

[marymungoandmidge]

Hi...not proclaiming anything here, but my DS (aged 2 years 9 months) has basically learned the words to most of his story books (verbatim, literally). We're talking Beatrix Potter, (Peter Rabbit, Benjamin, Two Bad Mice, Squirrell Nutkin). Both myself and DH read to him often but we can't remember them verbatim...! Just wondered if your DCs do the same? Or does he just have a really good memory? We bought him a new book at the weekend The Smartest Giant, Axel Schaeffler and he has already 'learned it'....spooky or quite normal?

Yes, totally normal, if they hear somerthing enough times they will remember it, especially if it has a pattern/rhyme to it.

Oh good...For a minute there I was worried I might have a little genius or something !Gah...!

Yes, DS does this. He knows what his books are called and can tell one Little Red Tractor book from another, but I presume he recognises the pictures rather than reading the words.

I wouldn't want to be the mother of that 2year old that can name 35 capital cities and identify equilateral triangles.

yes my 2 yr old does this, she especially loves the 3 little pigs and declares 'not by the hair of my chinny chin chin' very loudly at us all, lol

I too will remember Not Now Bernard for the rest of my life!

No...that one is a bit scary...The only reason I ask is that I am always a bit shocked that he will recite the whole paragraph on each page, and will get annoyed if I miss out a word...I just hope he retains a really good memory...and it isn't a phase.

Yes, my DD (2.5) knows quite a lot of her books off by heart, but then I do too. I could recite Peepo in my sleep. I did think it was funny when she picked up a book in the library annd declared it 'Shark in the Park' and then proceeded to read it alongside me. I'd never seen it before, but obviously it's a nursery favourite.

I think this is normal. They do it so that you cant skip bits out when you are reading to them.

Its amazing the capacity they have...wish I could remeber that well...

remember, sorry

They have less stuff to remember though, so its no surprise that they remember what they do well. They dont have to think about their jobs, when to pay the gas bill, when the car needs MOT, what shopping to do etc etc etc. That my excuse anyway, and Im sticking to it.

Yeah you are right...bless their cotton socks!

yes. They may have forgotten a bit but I can still recite all of the tiger who came to tea!

DD used to do this a lot when younger. She is 7y now and still does with some short books and she is pretty good at memorising some poems too. She does a fab rendition of Please Mrs Butler with so much expression She only got the book this week too. She does it with song lyrics too.

I am not very good at memorising at all.

Yes, dd has always done this. She could remember the words exactly after one reading, and then not pick up the book for months and still know them. I am amazed by it really

Yes dd does it with peepo .

Please Mrs butler, this boy Derek Drew
Keeps calling me rude names miss, what shall I do?
Blimey Hula, I still remember that one more than 15 years later

Yes, and it's fab because I have hyperemesis and have been really struggling with talking in the evenings. DD is great - when it's my turn to do the story I just turn the pages and she 'reads' it herself.

I'm v impressed by OP's DS though - it takes a lot of readings before my dcs get it, doing it in under a week is pretty good (not that it's a competition or anything!)

Only one out of three of mine did it to the extent that yours has, and that quickly. The other two got it after lots of readings.

I don't think it is that usual actually to be able to memorize a book in a week. I think he might be a genius

Do you reckon ? Gee thanks...one does have to be very careful not to be seen as a rather irritating 'competitive mother'...can't stand the type myself !

Yup, I have to exchange her library books at least once a week as she starts chanting along with me and I can't miss bits out. She recites bits of them in her sleep too!

All together now, here's a little baby 1 2 3...

Sits in his highchair, what does he see.....AAAAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Don't EVER introduce yours to Squirrel Nutkin!!!!!!

Er, too late!

I will never forget being totally gobsmacked by my best mate's little sister reading Thomas the Tank Engine to herself at less than 3.

The whole family let me live in shock and awe for several hours before they told me she'd just learned them by heart!