Too much reading - 16 month old

[aquarius1994]

Just wondered what people's opinions are about too much reading. I'll explain below

So as u may see from my previous post, I'm not a naturally fun mum. But i do love reading. So I read him board books like Julia Donaldson Children’s ones like the gruff alp etc and many others, but also what I've been doing is reading him Enid blyton books one by one, chapter by chapter. Is this a bit intense as he's only 16 months and those books are for much older? But while he is playing/walking around I sit on the sofa nearby and loudly read a couple chapters as I figure he may be listening and take in a few words? Or am I mad?

So like today was a quiet day so this morning we played shape sorters and building blocks etc. Then went out. Now back and I done some reading

It's hard to know what to do with a 16 month old like what I can play with him Cos his favourite things to do see dragging a toy phone along by the string or if not then pushing toys along while walking

Op if it works it works. I think parenting in a nutshell is to play to your strengths. I'm not an art and crafty mum. Never will be. I'm let's get out the house and explore make a mess elsewhere kind mum.

Audio books and children's cd's are what I had on all the time when mine were younger. I loved it- telly was off but it was still fun and the audio books are really good for character voices. The Cd's are good as join in and you are teaching copying, movement, motor skills, coordination etc.

I know someone who read Lord of the Rings to their toddler. It's all vocabulary and what a lovely thing to share. Read what you want to read to your baby and enjoy it. Soon enough they tell you what to read and it will be on repeat.

My DS was very a active toddler who never napped but would lie still and relax for audio story books. He listened to many that were for much older children, long before he could have understood all the words. He started to talk early and his vocabulary was great.

Thank u to all the great replies, however to the person who asked was I reading to my son in order to avoid engaging? What a horrible question. Of course not. I feel I am engaging by reading as he hears my voice.

I do also read nursery rhymes from the nursery rhyme book and his eyes light up and I have a book with pictures and words that I show him and lots of usbourne "that's not my...." books but those ones tend to get taken off me and he reads himself. It's only really do-able if he's in the high chair and I can read and show him pictures. If he sits on my lap and I read then he wants to get involved so then it's tricker if u see what I mean. He does sit nicely on my knee but not so much when reading but I think that's Cos he's keen to turn the pages himself and get really involved so then wiggles around a lot trying to take the book from me etc

Just sit him on your lap and let him get involved. What is the issue with him wanting to touch the books and turn the pages? Follow his lead and you will both find it a richer experience.

Why does he need to sit nicely and let you read? Exploring books in whatever way is part of the fun! The pages make an interesting noise when you turn them, a hardback makes a loud noise if you drop it. You can lie on the floor to read, you can get the teddies out and act out a story, you can put on different clothes and be a character!

He might also like the ones with buttons/music/sounds OP - we have an Old McDonald one with farm animal noises, and there's an Usborne series called Noisy Farm/Robots/Orchestra etc which is lovely and interactive.

There's nothing "wrong" with him taking the book off me when I read but then how am I meant to finish the story? He also gets very agitated too like he wants to play with the book and bash it around

Then that’s your sign that he isn’t ready to engage with chapter books. Why don’t you put audiobooks on in the background if you want to listen, and use your time to get down on the floor and play and interact with him, and talk to him about what he’s doing and what you’re playing with instead so you are commencing a dialogue? I used to read chapter books to DS when he was a baby, but I’d just read them at bedtime when he was learning to fall asleep by himself and still needed reassurance from me. But as it stands, it doesn’t sound like your child benefits from what you are doing.

If you have Spotify you can find a lot of audio stories for children on it, my DCs love to listen to those and engage with them as they have characters with silly voices etc.

Yes he will sit and cuddle for a very short book but often wants to take it off me lol

So let him! It’s ok not to finish a story if he just wants to play with the book :)

We often don’t read the actual story either, if she’s wanting to turn more pages etc we just do “can you see a... where is the...” spotting instead

I think you sound great. If he’s happily pottering in your company and you’re in close proximity focussed on his needs you are doing such a lot for his feelings of self-worth.
Once he starts chatting you’ll be able to do more back and forth, asking and answering.
It does sound difficult to get out and about but I would definitely get to the library if you can!
I wish I’d had your patience, OP.

I remember reading,while studying Piaget, a part relating to one of his assistants who, if my memory is accurate, was Julia Donaldson. She maintained that the best indicator of future educational progress was a child’s understanding of what reading was about. She wrote that some children had no idea what was happening when a parent put a newspaper in front of their heads. My first thought when I read your post was that your child was lucky to have you as a mum. I would agree with the posts that say use picture books in the main but I believe children’s books that you enjoy convey that enjoyment to your little one. Another thing I discovered about children is that they should never be underestimated. Keep enjoying books and sharing your enjoyment. Well done. Your post is a delight to read.

You're not reading to him though just at him. It will be background noise. Enid Blyton will make as much sense to him as Dostoyevsky.

Show him pictures, stories really don't matter at that age.

Ps I probably got the name of the research assistant wrong. I believe it was a Julia and probably my memory filled in the Donaldson with the author of those lovely children’s books. However, she wrote a book as a result of research with Piaget.

Reading is great, but I agree with a PP about talking about the world around him as well as reading stuff to him. And make sure as he grows he has space to make sounds and speak too.

You sound lovely and as an early years teacher being read to and developing a love of books and stories is so important. How about putting on a nursery rhyme cd and singing along. Then your son can still play independently without the distraction of tv but will be developing so many skills ( rhyming / alliteration vocabulary etc) and its definitely fun.

I do have my suspicions that maybe you’re mainly reading these books for your own enjoyment - a bit like when I put Disney films on ‘for my DS’ (he couldn’t care less, but I like having an excuse to watch them all again ) It can do no harm OP and he’ll appreciate it when he’s a bit older.

Are you thinking of Margaret Donaldson? I know she wrote a book about children’s minds :)

I can't help much as my DS never sat still at that age so I was constantly following him round making sure he didn't climb onto chairs etc...

But for everyone who likes the idea of educational background noises my DM listens to a lot of classic fm... DS absolutely loved it right from baby age.

Op read what you want, it's just Mama's voice to him, not real meaning hence TLOTR and the Illyad etc.

However remember quiet is also good, so he has time to talk too. Someasking him questions about what he's doing etc so he can reply and quieter time are as important as passing on a love of books

As for the he'll take the book off you etc, let him. Let him turn the pages, read what you get chance to read before he turns the page, dint worry if you miss a page yet. It needs to be fun not just Mum taking the book off him constantly

So thanks for replies. I do have a playlist of nursery rhymes that I play and sing along to

Enid blyton might not make much sense at this age but he's still going to be hearing words

The point re it not making sense was to read something you enjoy