Vanessa Simmons is all about literacy. The celebrity mom tells Sydney Book Club that she reads to her daughter, Ava, in hopes of instilling a love for books in her little one.
“I started reading with Ava Marie almost immediately,” she shares. “I was told while pregnant talking to your baby at an early age helps with development, so I figured reading books could be a great help too. Even though I knew she couldn’t completely comprehend at first over time I would notice she would become more and more engaged in the stories and colorful pictures.”
Now, at 2-years-old, Ava picks out her own books for storytime and even tries to read them. “Story time is one of her favorite times now and it’s amazing seeing her so excited about it,” Vanessa says. “[It’s] even more amazing seeing her point out words and knowing her ABC’s before she even turned 2.”
As one who is seeing the power of consistency at work in her daughter’s life, Vanessa advises parents to read to kids on a continuous basis. “Even if you think your child is too young or not paying attention, read,” she suggests. “It is definitely making a difference. I’ve seen t first hand with my daughter. I believe she is advanced because of how I read to her when she was just a baby. I suggest [reading at] bedtime, perhaps right after a bath and the noise of the day has died down.”
Ava is Vanessa Simmons’ daughter with boyfriend Mike Wayans.
