Why you should read to your 6 month old {and why it’s a great age to start!}

While the title may sound a tad bit misleading, I promise this is not a post about how to teach your six-month old to read! (I have yet to figure out how to teach our toddler all his ABCs or for that matter to sit long enough to hear them all so you’re in better company than you may think!) Rather, I wanted to share with you a special tradition that we have done with all of our kids that I think you will love!

Before our third baby was born (our first girl!), I had plenty of ideas in my mind about what special first moments I wanted to share with her. There are the traditional milestones like her first bath and taste of solid food, but there is something about our babies reading their first book at an age where they are beginning to understand more that just touches this mama’s heart. I don’t know if it is those chunky little hands clasping the pages, or their tiny fingers taking in the new textures and shapes, but it is something I make sure we do with all of our kids!

In my mind, the perfect book is one with thick pages that are easy to turn, full of simple colors, shapes, and semi-baby proof! Usborne has a wonderful line called “That’s not my” featuring different animals. I picked out That’s Not My Kitten! before Adleigh arrived, knowing that between her daddy’s love of cats and a first sweet moment with his baby girl, it called for something extra special. I tucked the book in a safe place until the perfect time, and this last month seemed just the right time to pull it out for our little girl. We timed it in the evening before bedtime when she was still alert, but not overly tired.

 

 

It was sure a hit! Even Daddy’s eyes were a little wet (but really, can you blame him?!)

Six months is a wonderful age to introduce your baby to hands-on books and maybe even incorporate reading into your day for longer periods of time than when they were little! They are so aware of the world around them and are learning something new every day! Being exposed to books and read aloud to even at this young of an age has been proven to help instill a lifelong love of  reading. Plus, it can promote early literacy! We see it as one of the best gifts we can give to our children, and it’s free!

It makes me smile when I catch our daughter making a beeline for her favorite kitty book. I look forward to even more sweet moments before bed with her!

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