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I read to my infant son every night. Around the age of 6 months, I could really see his interest in the books grow. Some books he even seemed like more than others. After reading the books with him, I let him play with the board books, which usually go right into his mouth!
Even though your child may not understand every word you are saying while you are reading, reading to your infant is still a worthwhile activity.
Reading aloud to your baby teaches them about communication. Hearing a variety and a large amount of words helps to build a powerful vocabulary in your baby’s brain. The more stories read to your child, the more words they will have been exposed to and the better they will be able to talk and communicate.
When you read to your child they hear different emotions which can promote their social and emotional development.
Your baby will also start to make a connection between reading, your voice and being close to you. This may the most important factor in showing and teaching your child about the importance of books and will help encourage a love for reading.
Here are some tips to follow when reading to your child:
Cuddling with your baby while you read helps your baby feel warm, comfortable and close to you.
Read with expression and use different voices for different characters.
Don’t worry about reading the book word for word. Ask questions, make comments, talk about the pictures.
Sing, make funny sounds, act out the book, bounce your baby, make faces, do anything that makes reading fun.
Babies, toddlers and young children learn from repetition. Read the same book repeatedly to help your baby become familiar with the words and stories.
Encourage your baby to touch the book. Books should be something your baby wants to interact with and not something only you hold.
Here are ten books I recommend reading to your infant:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown – Goodnight Moon is an adorable bedtime story about a little rabbit telling everything in his room goodnight.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney – Guess How Much I Love is another sweet bedtime story about a little hare showing his father how much he loves him and his father showing him that he loves him even more.
First 100 Words by Roger Priddy – First 100 Words is a collection of everyday words and beautiful pictures that helps build a child’s vocabulary.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a classic that follows a caterpillar from an egg until he grows into a gorgeous butterfly.
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak – I Love You Through and Through discusses a toddler’s many emotions while confirming his love.
Trucks by Sarah Powell & Roger Priddy – Trucks is a collection of big trucks and their special jobs.
Animals by Dorling Kindersley Inc – Animals is a touch and feel book that allows your baby to feel the textures of many different animals.
Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman – Go Dog Go follows a dog as he shows many different ways to travel.
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins – Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb is a fun book with colorful illustrations and rhyming words.
Dr. Seuss’ ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book by Dr. Seuss – Dr. Seuss’ ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book is an introduction to the alphabet using Dr. Seuss iconic rhyming style and whimsical illustrations.
What are your thoughts and experiences?