There have been several times in the recent weeks where the morning shows have discussed New Studies about talking and reading to your babies to improve their brain power. I didn’t pay that close of attention to any of these stories because my little ones are all big ones now and quite verbal. But the one comment that did catch my attention was that it was very important to talk to your child and that you
should keep the conversation on topics that interest the child. What? Your baby can’t talk yet and you are supposed to discern what topics are interesting to them?

Here is the topic that is of most interest to your child - YOU. Whatever interests you, will interest your child. There is a scene in the movie 3 Men and a Baby that is a perfect example of this. The Tom Selleck character buys a Sports Illustrated and is later seen reading the latest basketball news to the baby. When one of the other men questions him about this and suggests that SI is not really baby material, Tom Selleck replies “It’s not what you’re reading but the tone of your voice that is important”. I thought that was Great!

Read to your kids and talk to your kids and when you do cover topics that interest you as well. Exposing your kids to a wide vocabulary early on can only help. So go ahead and read Green Eggs and Ham but perhaps toss in an article from the Readers Digest or a chapter at a time from a classic that you have wanted to read for a long time. Sure, they won’t understand what you’re saying but they will love hearing your calming voice and they will love that time with you. And when they grow up they will more than likely develop a love of reading as well.