My catch from the library

I love going to city libraries here in New Zealand. Simply because their resources never fail to give me satisfaction.. I can find all kind of books, CD and everything I want from cooking,knitting, sewing travelling,self help, DIY , novels etc . I wasn't a library lover back home but now I just another library addict. I used to just buy books that I wanted. So today I pay another visit to the closest library and loan some CD's and books for my baby. These CD's are instrumentals and children songs. some of them are from the baby einstein's collection ( and after searching the www for the price..), I've decided to try them. Last time I loaned music for dreaming CD's and it really worked!! not only on my baby but on me too!!

Music CD's for children 

                                          Free board books!!

There are also Pepi Time ( Every tuesday 930am-10am) for babies and parents to sing nursery rhymes, get to socialize and have some fun !! we went for a session last month and it was really cool! I wish we could have similar facilities/activities back home.

Introducing Ilham to books!!

How to make one to love book..to love reading.. yess.. you need to start from the early age..from the beginning when your baby's mind still pure and not yet expose to so-called techno gadget i.e psp, wii, ps3 etc..

and why should I read to my baby? just because you want them to know..books and reading do wonders!!even if for the first time the book will end up in their mouth.. ( well that's when cloth book comes in handy) but it doesn't mean that it doesn't worth trying. Exposing books in baby's first year is vital for emotional and intellectual developments.Early childhood studies show that reading aloud to babies can teach them to recognize different sounds have different meanings which are the foundation of speech and comprehension.

In the hospital, I was given a gift pack for new mothers. It contained free samples of nappies, baby lotion, baby oil, baby development book etc. What surprised me was there was a library registration form and a black and white board book for my baby. This is a good way to get children to click with library from their early age. The book called baby's world pictures in black and white showing contrast which known to facilitate baby's eye coordination. and guess what, I got Ilham clicked to it since she was 2 weeks old!!!Usually after feeding,  I wind her.. and if she is still awake, I will either lie her or let her on her tummy and start talking to her. The I will move the book  vertically or horizontally while calling her name or explaining to her pictures in the book. At first she didn't show any interest but after several attempts, as she get good control of her eyes , she started to follow directions of the book. So it's true that picture books with contrast , bright and simple images provide visual stimulation towards baby's cognitive skills. 

Initially I found out it quite boring because it seems that I was the only one who somehow understand the picture ( obviously my baby doesn't has a clue what her mother is doing!!)..but gradually my baby started to pay attention and focus to what I am trying to show/read/explain to her...and now at 5 months she will smile every time I show her a book and tell her that we going to read it. I believe reading to my baby can bond us and develop Ilham's emotion. Sometimes I lie next to her, holding the book high so that we can share the book..and laugh together. 

                                        Ilham's very first book. courtesy of Christchurch City library.

These are benefits laid out in the Read-Aloud book Chapter 1