An
interesting thing happened recently. We celebrated a toddler’s third birthday a
few days back and, among the gifts the young one received, besides the usual
counting blocks and plastic toys, were a Kidscreen—a computer-of-sorts containing
games and videos—and a couple of books.
The
mother plugged in the Kidscreen and went through the various electronic
offerings. After a few minutes, however, the child lost interest in the gadget
and started his usual running around. I picked up the little one, gathered the
books, and started to read. Needless to say, the child, whose senses had become
overly-excited by the birthday celebration (and a bit too much sugar) sat down
quietly, intensely absorbed by the story-telling. When both books were read,
the request came “Again!”
In
a way, it is not surprising. Children are not impressed by expensive gifts, but
value the personal connection that the simple ones provide. The American
Academy of Pediatricians recommend no screen time for babies younger than
eighteen months and not more than one hour a day for children up to five. Of
course, educational programs help toddlers learn the alphabet, for example, but
at that age, toddlers’ needs extend far beyond what a screen can provide.
Of
greater benefit to a child is the reading of a book by an adult. Children feel
secure when read to, and the act solidifies the child-parent relationship. It
develops listening skills which are of paramount importance in the process of
learning.
Research
has shown that cognitive skills developed by this practice, extend well into
the teenage years, and lead to higher scores in language and problem-solving proficiencies.
Toddlers usually have very short attention spans but develop concentration and
self-discipline when read to.
The
greatest benefit, however, is the development of creativity and imagination.
When read to, my little friend’s pupils enlarged and by his hands, mouth and
eyes, he displayed the corresponding emotions and wonder of the story being
read.
When
to commence reading to babies? Start today! Even if they can’t follow the plot,
babies, being emotionally observant, can easily discern follow their parent’s
feelings. This, in itself, is a great first step in helping them in
understanding the world around them. Happy Reading!
Mohan Ashtakala (www.mohanauthor.com) is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," a fantasy and "Karma Nation," a literary romance. He is published by Books We Love, (www.bookswelove.com.)
