I haven't read to my dd and it's really worrying me

[puppyspaws]

My dd is 16 months and I haven't really read to her yet. I've started a bit recently but I just struggled with everything in the first year so much that I didn't really find the chance to read to her. She's got a few books (not a huge amount but a few classic ones like Winnie the Pooh) but I'm worried that I haven't exposed her much to them and that it will effect her when she gets to school age and she won't like reading as she gets older. I do other activities with her and talk to her all the time but I worry it's not enough. Also, when I do read to her I'm literally just reading the book to her (in special voices), should I be teaching her things or literally just reading the book to her. Sorry if these seem like silly questions I'm just not really sure what I should be doing

And if you can do voices/singing, so much the better! I used to sing the repeated bits of The Smartest Giant In Town (get hold of a copy, if you can - it should be a library book). I wish my children were little again!

OP, I bet you could ask on Freecycle or whatnot and get loads of age-appropriate books at no cost.

You could take her to the library and get her a ticket. That way you can look at lots of different ones without buying them. They usually love choosing them aswell

On YouTube they have readings of popular children’s books. DS loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar one. He had the book for Christmas and we’d follow along with his real book.
Also useful to test if they enjoy the story before you buy it.

The only thing my 16mo liked to do with books was chew them. Honestly OP you'll look back at this post in a few years and have a good chuckle.

I don't think either of mine even looked a book till 18mo, I did try, they just weren't interested. Have you had your bookstart pack? They usually give them out via the library and you get a free book and activity in there.

Charity shops are usually pretty good for cheap books, you can get good deals at places like The Works or Book People so you can stock up.

Any lift the flap or textured books have been a hit with mine - we love the Acorn Wood series.

Don't worry, it's never too late but do start asap. Sharing a book at a young age is not only a lovely, relaxing activity for you both, but it will help her see reading as a normal part of life as she gets older. I don't remember a time when I haven't read before bed and I read with my Grandad as a toddler. I definitely second the library idea, and get some children's classics that she will never grow out of (Elmer, Mog, The Very Hungry Caterpillar etc)

I misread your post and thought your child was 16 yrs old! Do't worry! Just start enjoying books and going to the library! They love it.

I found kids that age really engaged with simple board books. The That’s Not My… series and Sandra Boynton were particular favorites. They are short and simple and Kids actually enjoy the repetition. I still have many of them memorized.

DD is 14 months and will not sit and listen to a story but she loves lift the flap books.
Where's spot, and dear zoo are great. Simple and you can point out the animals and make the noises.
Julia Donaldson's Hide and seek pig, foxes socks etc are also great with a nice simple rhyme

You can start now. It's not too late at all. With DD we read for hours. I did all the silly voices and explanations and questions etc to.make.it interactive but to be honest I think most of the time she just wanted me to read the story.

With Ds I try to read but he just won't have it. There are a few books with flaps that he'll sometimes tolerate but most of the time he just tries to close the book and throw it away. No idea why. I also talk less to him than I did with DD (mostly because DD can talk for England and it's difficult to get In a word). I hope it won't affect his speech or learning language.

Anyway, do start now and I think as.long as you are interacting with your child and talking to them it's really not a big deal if you haven't read much to them so far.