Rating: 4 stars
Poor Kiefer, our third child. He's often the last thought. Toys often equal an empty water bottle or reusable snack bag. Despite the fact that she has loved him since the moment she saw him, Lorelei has only recently included him in her pictures of our family. So I thought it was time to write about some books for babies and for 1 year olds.
What is the point of reading to babies? The sounds builds listening and memory skills, teaches language, boosts their blooming brain skills, and exposes them to concepts and experiences beyond his or her day-to-day world. Okay, but HOW do you do it? How do I help make Kiefer as book obsessed as his big brother and big sister? Here are a few things I do:
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| Kiefer dives into our library bag... |
- Read two books to him before naptime and bedtime.
- Keep a book basket in his room full of board books that he can play with/read when he plays in his room.
- Lorelei and Ben choose books for him when we go to the library without him
- Include board books for him in our book basket in our car
- Make books easily accessible in the playroom, where we keep our library books
- Read anytime...we sometimes read books during mealtimes (we used to always do this, but now...just sometimes)
Now, about this Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book...
This should be one his favorite books! I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I read this book for the first time just a few hours ago. We've had the board book version, and I've thought it was okay, but I really like the hardback, real version of it--it is twice as long and much better. I love that the beat is like a rap, providing me the opportunity to be gansta-like in my own suburban mom way for a few brief (and hopefully secluded) moments.
Skit skat skoodle doot.
Flip flop fleep.
Everybody running to the coconut tree.
Mamas and papas
and uncles and aunts
hug their little dears,
then dust off their pants.
You've probably found this book already, but if not...definitely grab the long version and spend some wildly fun moments rapping it...I mean reading it...to your kid. Enjoy!
