Meet two babies extraordinaire, 17-month-old siblings Quincy and Simone. Their mom kindly let me post their YouTube video and answered questions about their reading routine.
Cast a researcher's eye as the video plays: The babies are reading Let's Play Peek-a-boo! by Jane Massey. Simone reaches for a peek-a-boo flap on the front cover. Quincy's eyes follow. This is the first of several moments of joint attention, when reading partners focus on the same word, picture, or page element. This it the sweet spot of read-aloud where learning takes place. Simone holds the book right-side-up and reads from front to back. The babies turn pages- sometimes one at a time- sometimes several at once. Quincy points. Simone plays, diving into the book to kiss a mirror insert on the last page. Peek-a-boo! Together, they vocalize, back and forth, in book conversation. Booooo!
Simone and Quincy look at books daily. They attend a library lap-sit program weekly. Favorite books include Mr. Brown Can MOO! and Big Dog...Little Dog.
How old were Simone and Quincy when you first read to them?
When they were in the womb.
Do you share books at times other than bedtime?
Yes . . . I have to admit because they force us to. They are constantly running up to us with books. So, we read over and over again.
Do you have any advice for moms and dads about reading to babies?
Read to them and make it interactive. Don't force anything. Quincy knows all his letters and sounds and we just read to him and feed his thirst for letters . . . He shows signs of an early reader. Simone likes to be read to and is not as vocal, but clearly understands as she is interactive. We also have our 10 year old read to them. It is different for each child and they will show you what they want and need, it is innate to their own unique learning and cannot be forced.
Amazing babies!
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