I know, everyone says that reading to your baby is important.  But are you not sure when to start reading to your baby?  Does your baby seem more interested in chewing on the cover, grabbing, and manipulating the pages? You are not alone and this is developmentally appropriate and completely healthy!  It is never too early to read to your baby.  Just the act of holding and exploring a book is exposing your baby to early literacy experiences – pictures and symbols represent words and words have meaning. Book reading not only fosters literacy, but book reading is also a highly social and bonding experience.

Books for Babies

The key to reading is to engage in interactive, high-quality book-reading with your baby.  Research shows that both the quantity and quality of book reading in infancy is important, yet the quality is the most important for predicting the size of a child’s vocabulary and early reading skills.  So how can you ensure your book reading is quality?!

Here are a few tips to help you and your infant get the most out of reading together:

1. Make the Time

Start by setting aside a time every day for reading.  Whether it’s in the morning before work or as you are winding down for bedtime. Consistency is key!  Aim for 2 books per day and increase to 5!

2. Choose Age-Appropriate Books

Select books that are at your baby’s developmental level – remember baby’s have limited attention spans. Board books with shorter phrases that have repetition are ideal. Select books with textures (touch-and-feel), songs, rhyming, movement or peek-a-boo components.

My 8 month old loves Peekaboo Kisses – A Touch and Feel Book by Braney Saltzberg. This short, repetitive book is so fun and incorporates textures, peekaboo (lift-the-flap), animal vocabulary and sounds, a mirror (what 8 month old doesn’t love looking in the mirror?), and lots of opportunities to give your little one kisses.

 3. Get Down to Your Baby’s Level

Always get down to your baby’s level and face each other if possible. A huge part of book reading is making it engaging and interactive. When you allow your baby to see your face, he or she is learning non-linguistic cues – facial expressions, gestures, body language, eye contact.  These non-linguistic cues are all important for communication.

4. Snuggle and Encourage Baby Interaction

You want to be close enough so you are touching or still able to touch each other.   Additionally, position books where your baby can easily reach, hold, and touch the books.  Research from Purdue University published April 16 in Developmental Science shows that a caregiver’s touch could help babies find words in the continuous stream of speech.

5. “Read” your baby

If your baby isn’t interested, don’t force it. Wait for them to show interest and try again later.  Stop if your baby isn’t enjoying the story and try another book. If all else fails, narrate your baby’s actions (i.e., “You love holding this book…now you’re looking at the brown bear…what a furry bear, etc.”).

6. Earn the Best Actress Award! 

Vary the pitch and tone of your voice. Don’t be afraid to be silly, make sound effects (animal noises), use gestures, or read in a sing-songy voice.  Make book reading fun for you and your baby.

7. Build Confidence

Encourage your baby’s coos and babbling; this is your baby trying to communicate with you!  Support attempts by your baby to mimic you.  Through your encouragement and love, your baby’s communication will thrive.

I hope you find these tips helpful and enjoy reading with your baby.  Reading Rocket also has a lot of wonderful tips and resources for parents.  Happy Reading!