Hey there! I haven’t posted in a while due to my hectic home life, but I’m excited to share this post with all the moms out there. It’s about teaching your child to read and speak—not necessarily to be fluent, but to give them a solid starting point in language development.
As a first-time mom, I rely on the advice of elders, like my mom, mother-in-law, grandparents, and friends. However, despite having abundant guidance from experienced individuals, I still feel like I’m lacking knowledge in motherhood. That’s why I also turn to books, magazines, and the internet for additional information that I haven’t learned elsewhere. While reading through mothers’ forums and discussions, I came across some helpful suggestions on teaching toddlers to read and speak. I decided to try a few of these strategies.
I started noticing that my baby was captivated by nursery rhymes and phonics from her early months. I think she was about 5 months old when we began letting her watch baby phonics. During that time, she didn’t cry or ask for attention while she was engaged. A few months later, she began to recognize objects, although her words were not clear yet. By the time she turned one, she could speak more words than many other kids her age.
Here’s what we did, and I wanted to share it in case you’d like to try it with your child:
- Watch phonics and nursery rhymes: Focus on baby channels that teach the ABCs, sounds, colors, and similar concepts. We let our baby watch for at least an hour a day during her early months, and as she grew, she spent even more time watching phonics and nursery rhymes. Take note of her favorites and let her watch them repeatedly so she can absorb the lessons from the videos. Remember, children are like sponges, soaking up what they see and hear. The more they hear, the more easily they will pick up and remember words. Some recommended baby channels include Super Simple Songs, Songs for Children, and Mother Goose Club. It’s important to be present with your child while they watch, guiding and explaining everything being shown.
Read books with your baby every day: This requires a lot of patience since not all young children want to listen or read. Look for the perfect timing when they are in the mood, and don’t force your child to read. I see many parents pressuring their children to learn too quickly. Remember, pressure and overstimulation can be detrimental to a child’s learning.
Conduct a recitation: When my baby turned one, we established a routine where we would ask her to say a word. She happily participated! However, just like reading, this approach takes time and patience.
Be an example: If you want your child to focus on learning, demonstrate that you enjoy learning too—whether it’s reading a book, writing, or engaging in other educational activities.
Expose them to real objects: Children absorb lessons more effectively when they can see or touch real-life objects. There are companies that sell educational tools alongside nursery rhymes, allowing babies to not only listen but also physically engage with the concepts. Grolier is one example, though their products can be a bit pricey. If you prefer a budget-friendly option, consider making DIY objects to pair with their favorite nursery rhymes.
Let them play: This is crucial! Playtime is an essential part of childhood, giving your child the freedom to interact with others, be themselves, and explore. Through play, children can learn a multitude of skills. Just ensure the play area is childproof to keep them safe.
So far, these are just some of the practical strategies we've implemented with our baby. I hope you find them helpful! Please share your experiences and techniques for teaching your child in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
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