Hi, my older son is 3 and my younger one is 6 months. As soon as my older son was around 9 months old I read bedtime story to him when tucking him in. It has become a habit and I would certainly want to do the same thing to my younger one. My question is: I want to tuck them in together at the same time so in this way I would read the same story to them; but shall I read the books suitable for my older one (the younger may not know what's going on but just let him listen and catch up?) or shall I read the books suitable for my younger one (so that the younger one can go from the basic, but I worry that the older one would be bored with the super-easy baby books?) I don't want to put them to bed at different time and read stories to them separately. Any idea/advice to share? Thank you.
Need advice on reading to two sons
- Thread starter OX Jess
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My older child is 4.5-years-old and the younger is 15-months-old. The question for us is how to keep the baby still while reading. For us, I don't think at this point tucking them in together is a reasonable goal but it might be for you.
In our case, I would read a mixture of both. I would select books my older son liked when he was my daughter's age--especially books he was quite fond of or even remembers and read them because it's always nice to go back and read old favorites. Then read some of the "big kid" books after that. But, keeping baby's interest level (and keeping her from ripping the book!) is the difficulty. Also, my son has started to have me read to him longer stories--we don't really read the little "kiddie books" anymore. Now he can sit and listen to a story for about 5-10 minutes and he wants a deeper plot and more dangerous situations. One of his favorites is a story about a boy who kills a monster and cuts off its head! I know, I know...gory and violent but he likes it.
The baby simply doesn't have the attention span to sit for 5 minutes to listen to this type of story.
Good luck.
In our case, I would read a mixture of both. I would select books my older son liked when he was my daughter's age--especially books he was quite fond of or even remembers and read them because it's always nice to go back and read old favorites. Then read some of the "big kid" books after that. But, keeping baby's interest level (and keeping her from ripping the book!) is the difficulty. Also, my son has started to have me read to him longer stories--we don't really read the little "kiddie books" anymore. Now he can sit and listen to a story for about 5-10 minutes and he wants a deeper plot and more dangerous situations. One of his favorites is a story about a boy who kills a monster and cuts off its head! I know, I know...gory and violent but he likes it.
The baby simply doesn't have the attention span to sit for 5 minutes to listen to this type of story.Good luck.
I have attempted with my three...4,2,1...we have three books which they choose themselves, and then I read the baby book first. Then hubby sends baby to sleep and I continue with the older two, after which they both sleep. Bby cannot sit still so he inky gets one book...when he is older he can last longer and read all three. Takes me 15mins to do 3 books.
I have a similar gap between my two and basically most days they choose a book each (exceptions if one too tired or if very late they choose one together now). The little one can just play if he is not interested in the big ones story, but as they get older I found my youngest listened just as attentively to the 'big' stories, even if they weren't about things you would expect him to be interested in. They are now 3 and 5.5 and there is no problem at all, although sometimes the older one says she doesn't want to listen to the 'baby' stories, yet she nearly always does when i start reading them.
Thanks for your advice ladies. Yes, as mentioned by thanka2 and lesliefu, I seem to forget that small kids love chewing on their books and do not sit still for story until they are probably around 2, and their attention span is so short. Therefore I think what I will do is to start with a baby book for the smaller one (which takes about 5 ~ 10 minutes); and then switch to those for older one. My older one can digest story with rather complicated plots so I think it would definitely bore the younger one to cry if I read it to him as well. Well, I haven't read to both yet, as my younger one is only 6 months old, but it'd be nice to ask and get some advice.
Nothing to add but I really enjoyed reading this thread and these tips will help when I have to read to my two munchkins together which I look forward to doing in a year or so. Right now, I'm thrilled that my 18-month-old son gets excited to bring me a book to read to him from every night. I had been panicking a bit because he was showing no interest in reading, except for throwing books off the bookshelf (being a reader, this is one trait I would be crushed if my son didn't develop).
repulsebayhk
New member
I would read one easy- to understand book suitable for your younger one, while reading, ask the older one questions related to what has been read or ask him what he thinks might happen on the next page, this way, the younger child can learn creAtivity in story reading from his older brother, and see the interaction between you and the older child. A great way to bond. Who knows? The younger one might learn more from the things his older brother says about the page or characters from the book than from the story itself!!
missprincepessa
Registered User
I think that can work. A 3 year old can point to objects in the book, say them out loud, and the little one may learn to identify them over time with the anticipation and repetition thing. My son was able to point to objects in books well before one (granted, we read them about a zillion times).
carang
Registered User
i read books with my playgroup classes. some of the kids are younger than 1. but i would not expect a 6 month old to want to do anything other than eat the book.
of course a child younger than 1 can start to learn things... but you would not know any difference if you started when the child was 10 or 11 months of if you started when the child is 6 months.
reading is fantastic, but there is really no need to start it so young.
of course a child younger than 1 can start to learn things... but you would not know any difference if you started when the child was 10 or 11 months of if you started when the child is 6 months.
reading is fantastic, but there is really no need to start it so young.
You should never underestimate the ability for a 6 month old to understand what is going on in the world around them Cara! CHildren are developing at a rate of knots and nothing goes unnoticed. When an infant is given the opportunity to participate in routines (nappy change, bath, bedtime rituals) from birth (YES BIRTH!) they will surprise you! For example, the simple act of speaking to a baby before you pick him up, (I am going to pick you up so we can get ready for bath now), communicates to the baby that they are included, they are capable of understanding, and very fast they will respond with arms up upon hearing your warning. WHen babies are given this respect from birth, you will be amazed at how switched on they become. I believe a 6 month old can learn A LOT from ANYONE around them.
southside852
Registered User
i read 2 stories to my boys at night who are 4.5 and almost 1.5 years old. the first one my older picks out and the 2nd one is a more appropriate aged one for the younger one. my older one loves the more baby book b/c he also helps teach things to his little brother. to honest though as a US elementary school teacher - it doesn't matter what you read to the younger one as long as they hear your voice. you can always read a more advanced picture book for the older one, but then talk about the story/picture for your younger one by inserted new vocab, shapes colors etc.....so that they both kids are included. the most important thing as that you are reading. a 6 month yr old could be reading the newspaper with you, but as long as they hear your voice, they will love it.
carang
Registered User
i think you misunderstood my meaning. yes, of course a 6 month old will learn from everything around them. that was not what i meant. i mean that a 6 month old is not going to be repeating after the older one etc.
Thanks for your all the replies.
I do read to my 6-month-old not because I want him to understand the words or pictures whatsoever I simply want to develop this habit on him from a very early stage (reading is a super good habit!). When I read to a baby (same to my older one when he was a baby) I held him on my lap and read to him. I agree that we do not need to mind the content of the book, simply let the baby hear your voice and be physically close to you is good enough.
Unlike my older boy, my younger one still does not have a sleeping pattern, i.e. he can fall asleep at 9pm or 10pm or still awake at 9ish. At the moment when both of them are awake, I would make them lie down with me in my bed and I read a book suitable to my older one. In this way, I do read stories to my older boy but let the younger one "feel" the reading and hear my voice.
When do I "read" to my younger son in a proper way (i.e. hold him on my lap and show him the book in front of his eyes)? It's when my hubby plays with my older one. As the attention span of a 6 months old is really short so I read to him 5~10minutes is enough, in my case.
I know, when the younger one gets older I need to make a better arrangement about 'bed time stories', and I think, after reading all the advices here, I would start with a simple book so that the older one can be a 'little teacher'; then I will move on to read a more complex story for my older boy. Usually, my older boy will not be satisfied with just one book.
So, let me see how it goes. Reading is great. I read to my boys whenever I can't think of anything interesting to do!
I do read to my 6-month-old not because I want him to understand the words or pictures whatsoever I simply want to develop this habit on him from a very early stage (reading is a super good habit!). When I read to a baby (same to my older one when he was a baby) I held him on my lap and read to him. I agree that we do not need to mind the content of the book, simply let the baby hear your voice and be physically close to you is good enough.
Unlike my older boy, my younger one still does not have a sleeping pattern, i.e. he can fall asleep at 9pm or 10pm or still awake at 9ish. At the moment when both of them are awake, I would make them lie down with me in my bed and I read a book suitable to my older one. In this way, I do read stories to my older boy but let the younger one "feel" the reading and hear my voice.
When do I "read" to my younger son in a proper way (i.e. hold him on my lap and show him the book in front of his eyes)? It's when my hubby plays with my older one. As the attention span of a 6 months old is really short so I read to him 5~10minutes is enough, in my case.
I know, when the younger one gets older I need to make a better arrangement about 'bed time stories', and I think, after reading all the advices here, I would start with a simple book so that the older one can be a 'little teacher'; then I will move on to read a more complex story for my older boy. Usually, my older boy will not be satisfied with just one book.
So, let me see how it goes. Reading is great. I read to my boys whenever I can't think of anything interesting to do!
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carang
Registered User
http://www.allabroadbaby.com/get-the-best-out-of-books-with-toddlers/6176
saw this and thought you might find it useful... (haven't read it though)
saw this and thought you might find it useful... (haven't read it though)