Life
Trying to imagine your child's future interests is one of the more fun parts of parenting. Does an early fixation with her toy telescope mean your kid is going to be an astronomer? Or could your little one's vibrant finger paintings point toward a love for visual arts? Such speculation is a source of joy and wonder for many caregivers. Along these lines, you can keep an eye out for the early signs your kid will be a bookworm. Because a lifelong love of reading is one skill you probably want to instill in your little one from the start.
Encouraging your kid to love books is one task that many parents take seriously. Chances are, you provide your kid with plenty of opportunities to interact with books from the newborn stage on. This is a wonderful sentiment. Because even if your infant uses books as a chew toy instead of reading material, they're still making positive early connections with books. Hopefully, those cumulative hours of story time will result in a child who grows up in awe of reading. Here are a few early signs that your efforts have taken root, and your kid is well on the way to becoming a voracious reader for life.
1
Their Library Is Packed
Did your little one score a load of great reads at his baby shower? This is a wonderful sign. Not only are books one of the most cherished baby shower gifts, as noted by Baby Center, but they will also help your child learn for years to come. Long after those newborn outfits are too small to wear, your kiddo can keep mastering lessons on the basics of language from those books.
2
Their Addicted To Rhymes
Sure, all language has its perks. But does your baby totally light up when you read a story that rhymes? That's fantastic. According to Parenting, rhyming words and phrases help children learn the natural rhythm of language. Plus, it's fun for you to spout phrases of Dr. Seuss without getting tongue-tied.
3
They Use Books As Teething Toys
Sure, your child has a whole arsenal of teething accessories, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of chomping on a good board book. Although you may be a bit concerned about the state of these gnawed-on books, your kid is just doing what comes naturally. And as noted by PBS, it's actually a good sign if your kid interacts with books by chewing on them. Consider it the first step toward developing great taste in literature.
4
They Love Storytime
Is story time a regular part of your little one's routine? If so, your child is lucky on many levels. As noted by Scholastic, regularly reading with your little one promotes language development and also strengthens your own bond. If your kid learns to associate reading with relaxation and comfort, then there's a great chance he will become a lifelong bookworm.
5
They Pretend To Read
After hearing it about a thousand times, your little one has memorized every word of Goodnight Moon. Maybe he even knows exactly when to turn the page. This type of memorization is a great step for pre-readers, as noted by Baby Center, because it shows he's starting to understand the relationship between the printed and spoken word. The stage is set for real reading to begin.
6
They Love Going To The Library
Does your toddler-aged kid attend a reading program at your local library? These are fantastic opportunities to get your kid even more jazzed about reading. Book-loving children's librarians can make story time a blast, and your child is literally surrounded by books.
7
They Love Letters
Hey, learning the alphabet takes a bit of effort, and it can get frustrating. But if your kiddo is in love with letters, you're that much closer to raising a big-time bookworm. And if the alphabet song is your tyke's top jam, all the better.
8
They Love Writing
Granted, maybe he only knows the letters to his name at the moment. And as noted by Baby Center, those early toddler signatures may be legible only to him. But it's still a good sign that your kid is interested in language and learning.
9
You're A Big Reader
If you're a constant reader, then your kid is almost certain to grow up loving books, too. By making reading a fun part of your regular leisure time, your kid will learn by example. Plus, reading books together will form a bond that you share forever.
