Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Active Toddler Is Tough to Read To | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
My son is two years nine months and will not listen to the sentences in an age-appropriate book. He will get through one or two sentences and then attempt to turn the page, talk about something different than the book, or ask questions about the pictures in the book. I understand he is still learning by our interaction, but I wonder when he'll actually listen to the words that I'm reading?— Liz in Fairfield, CT | | | ANSWER |
June 12, 2001 | | | Dear Liz,
I'm delighted you asked this question. I've been fascinated by reading aloud to young children for many years now (and I'm one of the cofounders of Reach Out and Read, which is a national organization that supports doctors' efforts to promote reading aloud).
Research shows that young children enjoy books in many different ways. Sitting quietly and listening is just one of them. In terms of learning, children who are actively engaged in the book probably learn more than children who are more passive. By "actively engaged," I mean asking questions, filling in words missing at the ends of sentences, predicting what's going to happen next, finding the hidden doggie or duck, lifting flaps, making animal sounds, and answering questions.
Questions that begin with "Where's the...?" require a child only to point. A better question for a 2 1/2-year-old might be, "What's that doggie doing now?" or "What's she going to do next?" Asking "why" questions, and questions that relate things in the story to things in real life ("Do you ever go to the park, like the bear in this story?"), are other ways to spark active participation. If, in response to your question, your child decides that he wants to become the bear in the story and growl around the room, that's fine. You might even join him in his playing. Then, after a few minutes, you'll be ready for more reading.
In time, of course, your active child will settle down to listening in a more grown-up mode. But for now, if you can capture and channel some of his curiosity and energy, he can have a wonderful time learning to love books, which is really what reading aloud is all about.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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