Importance of story time

Month 11, week 3

Reading aloud to your child can do wonders for developing language skills. This is one of the best ways to help them learn.

The more words they hear in a day, the better. If you haven't started yet, make it a habit to read to your child every day.

Good reading habits that start early will allow them to learn new things later.

Right now:

Invest in solid cardboard boxes and bathroom books. They will probably end up in your baby's mouth, but this is a good sign that they are interested.
Choose books with lots of colors and simple items to decorate the pages.
Read books with pictures of faces and animals to get your child's attention.

If your child's departure made him burst into tears and desperately cling to him, it's official: his separation anxiety is at its peak.

This is to be expected at this stage. Separation anxiety typically peaks between 10 and 18 months.

With very little sense of time, your child does not know that you will be back. This will begin to change as you approach the age of two.

Here's what you can expect for now:

Even if you enter the next room, your child may burst into tears.
It may now be more difficult to leave them with other people, including parents or nannies they used to spend time with.
Bedtime can trigger separation anxiety, making it harder for your child to fall asleep. Your child may wake up in the middle of the night to look for you.

At this stage, kids will be interested in books with words and phrases that rhyme and repeat. Ask them to join in the cow “mooing" and dog "barking".
Textured books with opening flaps and pull tabs help your child get excited about reading.
Make your own simple book at home. Fill it out with photos of family, friends, and other people your child will recognize.
Describe to the child everything that happens in the story. Point to the pictures and name what you see.
Make up nursery rhymes and songs that play with words. Include your child's name for their enjoyment.
Get your child involved. Ask them, "What is this?" and where...?" Give them a chance to respond.
Don't worry if they are more interested in the book itself than in the fact that you are reading the story. They are still learning and spending time with you.