Raising a Reader Blog

From the moment your baby is born, their brain is bursting with potential—tiny but mighty! At birth, they have around 86 billion neurons, each one ready to make connections and learn about the world. By the time they turn five, their brain is already 90% developed, with connections—called synapses—firing at lightning speed. It’s like their brain is in turbo mode, soaking up every word, sound, and experience around them.

As parents, we often hear, "You are your child’s first teacher." While it’s a beautiful sentiment, let’s be honest—it can also feel like a lot of pressure. What does being their "first teacher" even mean? Are we expected to suddenly become experts in lesson plans, phonics, and art projects? Not at all. Here’s the good news: teaching doesn’t have to feel heavy, and it’s often happening naturally in the little moments you share with your child.