Coming from a first-time mom, not an expert.
As a first-time mom to a curious and energetic 17-month-old, I’ve learned how important a reading routine is—even for a child who can’t read yet. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen firsthand how reading has impacted my son, and it’s been nothing short of magical to watch. Here are five things I’ve noticed since we started reading together regularly:
1. He “Reads” on His Own
When I say, “Baby, go read,” he actually does it! He runs over to his little bookshelf, picks out a favorite, and starts flipping through the pages, mumbling as if he’s reading aloud. It’s the sweetest thing—and a sign that he's learning how books work and how fun it can be to read.
2. He Invites me to Read
One of my favorite moments is when he walks up to me, places a book in my lap, and then backs up into my arms, ready to cuddle and listen. It’s his way of saying, “Mama, please read this book to me” even though he usually gets too impatient to make it to the end of the book.
3. He’s Interacting with Words
Since we started reading multiple times throughout the day, he’s begun trying to repeat words I say, pointing to objects on the page so I can name them, and showing more curiosity about what he’s hearing. It’s amazing to watch his brain make those connections.
4. Singing Impacts his Language too
Singing—whether it’s from a book or part of our bedtime routine—has helped his language development too. When I sing Winnie the Pooh, he chimes in with a cheerful “Pooh!” It’s a small thing, but it shows how music is helping him latch onto words.
5. It’s Building a Bond
More than anything, reading has become a special bonding time for us. It’s a moment of calm in our busy day—a time when we’re close, connected, and sharing something together. If you have a toddler, you know they don’t sit still for long, so this is our calm two minutes. I’ll take what I can get.
These little moments with books seem small but make the biggest difference!
