ECRR Concept of the Week (9-27-07)

In a recent copy of Parents magazine, a mother shared a story of how she would tell stories to her infant and use him as the main character. She did it as a way to amuse herself and, as she said, she hoped him. There was a caption that said that psychologist have found that babies as young as 4 1/2 months can recognize the sound of their own name. "Babies are also able to distinguish and recall new words when they hear them come right before or after their name, so making your child the star of the story plants the seeds of a broad vocabulary." This is an excellent example of incorporating an early literacy concept into together time with a child. Making up stories about your young "hero" will build vocabulary, narrative skills, and will help develop language skills. And, which kid wouldn't want to here a story where their favorite person (themself) is the star of the show?-Amy Dawson, Youth Services Librarian, Catawba County Library System