At what age should we start reading to our son?

Question

He's 9.5 weeks right now and we've tried reading to him a few times but he is completely oblivious and not paying any attention.

Answer 1

they say before they are born you should talk sing play music and read to them so i would say as soon as they are born if you want to read then go for it. and at that age they are going to seem totally oblivious to it.  But early reading make children get into reading.

Answer 2

kids love to hear different sounds and see different colors. So when you are trying to read try to see that you are following that. You can start reading at any age. Even if they don't pay attention fully, they do so for few minutes.

Answer 3

I actually started reading to my baby while he was still in the womb.  I've heard the books you read to them while in the womb will be their favorite as toddlers.  It's important to set a bedtime routine from the beginning. Mine was warm bath (helps them relax & sleep better) then I got a finger tooth brush to get him used to something on his gums and to get used to teeth brushing.  Dim the lights down low, except for a reading lamp.  And, then I would read a short bedtime story.  They love hearing your voice.  I would get into the silly voices and lots of expression.  He liked the pictures too.  I then put on instrumental, lullabies and would rock and nurse him to sleep.  He's two now and we still read every night in our routine.  He just loves books.

Don't worry if he doesn't pay much attention now the important thing is that your developing the habit and the nightly routine with him, and your spending time with him.

Just an FYI.  When my son started making sounds at 3-4 mos.  I would point to the letter of the alphabet for the sound he was making and tell him, H says .... or D says, "Da".  By the time he was one, he knew all the sounds of the alphabet.  I made it into a game and he loved it.  I think this will help him learn to be a better reader.

Congratulations on your new baby boy. Hope this has helped!

Answer 4

It is good to read to your baby right from the start, but its true they are oblivious to what the story is really about.  it's good for the baby just to be hearing you speak, and to learn words.  The best way to start out would be to turn the pages, let the baby look at the pictures, and point things out, and just say the words out loud.  Like, point to a cat, and say "cat".  

Answer 5

He is paying attention. At least not the way that you want him to. His brain is processing all those words and reading to your child early can help him develop language earlier. I started reading to my girls as soon as they were born. It is highly encouraged to read and talk to your infant it helps them learn and develop language skills. Just keep it up. You don't have to read constantly or anything like that. Just put him on your lap and read a story to him. He'll enjoy just hearing your voice. And talk to him as you go through your day. Tell him what your doing like "I'm going to change your diaper now" or "Let's put that shirt over your head, one arm two arm" Tell him that you are going bye byes and where. You will feel so silly at first but you'll get over it and it really is helping your child's brain develop. It's enjoyable for an infant to hear his parents voices. So, keep up the reading and talking to him. God bless and have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

Answer 6

i read to my son before bedtime at about 4 weeks old. he was calm and just looked at me. i guess my voice soothed him.

Answer 7

Read to them BEFORE birth. That's what I did. As far as when they are born, do it on the day they are brought into this world! They may not be listening but they absorb what you are saying; the different sounds that words make, your voice and how things are said, etc. It's important to start right away.  

Answer 8

it may not seem like it, but listening to your voice actualy do have an effect on them, so keep up the reading, it dont mather what you read really, you can read the stock courses for all it mathers, its hearing your voice that mathers

Answer 9

You can start now, it's good for him. My husband used to read to our son when he was a baby. He's 16 months now and I read to him before bed everynight.  

Answer 10

Although you don't think that he is paying attention trust me he is.  You are developing sound recognition and language skills.  Read to him often.  I read to my son before he was even born and read to him everyday after.  He loves books and would rather look at them than play with his toys sometimes.  So if you have stopped reading to your son, start back ASAP!

Answer 11

As soon as he can clearly see the pictures would be an obvious answer, but right now is fine too. Brightly colored books are best. And even if he seems oblivious now, he will still benefit from the attention and interaction with you. It's never too early for a baby to start learning! My Nanny (grandma) read to me from the time is was a few months old and I learned to read at 3 yrs, so obviously it has some benefit