Watching Interactive Slideshows: An Alternative to Reading

Typically, Juan Or's reading activities only revolve around Mommy reading words and pointing at syllables and pictures to him while Juan Or does the page-turning, or if Mommy is tired, Mommy merely handed books for Juan Or to 'play' by turning the pages and lifting the flaps all by himself. However, to date, Juan Or is still not able to pronounce the words or the alphabets that Mommy reads to him. This makes Mommy wonder whether Juan Or really knows what Mommy has been reading to him all this while.

(Juan Or is looking at colourful pictures.)

(Juan Or enjoys turning the page of the book. It doesn't matter whether the book is upside down or not, as long as the pages can be turned, can already!)

(Does Juan Or really know what he sees in the book? Mommy wonders.)

Today, Mommy switched on the laptop to let Juan Or watch interactive slideshows that Mommy downloaded previously from Brillbaby.com (thanks to Jessy for telling Mommy about this wonderful website!). Mommy did this merely for variety in Mommy's effort to teach Juan Or to read. In the slideshows, the words are in very large font size (suitable for baby's view), and each word comes with voice that pronounces the word, then followed by a picture that illustrates the word. Sometimes, the picture is followed by the natural sound of the picture, for example, the picture of a bird will have the chirping sound. And hearing this makes Juan Or laughs (much to Mommy's amusement)! Watch this video:

But of course the next danger lies in Juan Or 'attacking' the laptop keyboard!

Turning the Page

Just two nights ago, Juan Or was playing by himself (with a squeaky toy) in lying down position on his baby mattress. So Mommy gave him his rattle just for a change. Sure enough, Juan Or dropped his squeaky toy and turned his attention at biting the rattle. A few minutes passed and Mommy decided to read a book (baby boardbook type) with Juan Or. Mommy thought that Mommy might as well start reading with him first before he felt too sleepy and became fretful. So after going through the first two pages, Mommy said,"Juan Or, turn the page now." And much to Mommy's surprise, although Juan Or was using both his hands to hold his rattle to his mouth, his right hand left the rattle (left hand was still holding the rattle) and reached out to turn the page! Wah! Juan Or actually understand what Mommy said!? Mommy was taken in by surprise!


Anyway, below is just a representative photo of Juan Or reading the book with Mommy, but in sitting position:

This photo was taken when Juan Or was between 4 to 5 months old.