AFH artwork by Alicia Pham
Different cultures have different beliefs about when, why, and how to communicate with children. Some, for example, will wait until they feel a child will fully understand before opening a book and reading to them.
I know a woman who never talks to or reads to her son. He is now three years old and already in therapy -- because he cannot speak.
This story from kidshealth.org tells a different tale:
“Jacob loves books. His mom knows this because when she sits down to read to him every night, he waves his arms excitedly.
“His favorite page of ‘Goodnight Moon’ shows a cow jumping over the moon. He squeals and reaches for the book every
time he sees it. When she is done reading, his mom usually lets him hold the sturdy board book, which he promptly sticks into his mouth.
“Jacob is only six months old, but he is already well on his way to becoming a reader.”
According to kidshealth.org, reading aloud to young ones is a critical form of stimulation that:
“Teaches a baby about communication; introduces concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way; builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills; and gives babies information about the world around them.”
Many parents believe that school is the place for learning when, in reality, education starts at home.