Read to Your Baby

Believe it or not, babies love books. They might not understand much of what is going on in the pictures or text at first, but having something to look at and listening to your voice are two of an infant's favorite activities!

There is nothing wrong with reading to a newborn. While his eyes may not be able to focus well, he will be able to make out large, high-contrast shapes. For this reason, it is a good idea to select books that offer single images, like a ball or a music note, per page. There are even books designed especially for very small babies, with black and white illustrations that catch their attention.

Books that offer rhyming text or a rhythmic beat are also very popular as are books with animal noises. Babies enjoy hearing you make the various sounds and will learn to anticipate which ones are on each page and go with each picture. Dr. Seuss is a particularly good series of books for reading to infants. You might want to start with "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" which includes a variety of fun sounds that your baby will imitate as he gets older. Nursery rhymes like Mother Goose are good as well.

As your baby gets older, he will enjoy trying to turn the pages himself and later on, pointing out his favorite items in the illustrations. You can help him learn faster and expand his vocabulary by not just reading the text on each page, but pointing out interesting things in the pictures. Saying "Look, there's a dog" and pointing to the animal will help your baby learn to recognize both the animal and the word. You can explain actions as well, "The baby is having a bath, look how happy he is in the tub!"

Reading to your baby has many advantages. For one, it is a great way to raise a book lover. Children who have had the benefit of books from a young age tend to enjoy them right into adulthood. They grow up with books and reading being a way to entertain themselves and it isn't uncommon to find a well-read toddler sitting on his own, flipping through his favorite books and "reading" them aloud.

Books can also be a wonderful distraction for a baby. If you have to wait at the doctor's office or spend time on the bus, taking out a book can keep your little one busy and suppress tantrums that would otherwise occur. Also, a book can be used to distract a child who is already upset. He will realize that the reading of his books means cuddle time with parents and will often calm down to curl up on your lap.

Another big advantage is that babies who are read to grow into children with more understanding of the world. They get that the written word goes from left to right and that there is an order to be followed in books. Children who were read to often do much better starting in First Grade than their peers who never enjoyed a book with their parents.

The best books for babies are durable ones! Avoid popup books or ones with thin pages, they will be destroyed in no time! If you get some for gifts, consider storing them until your baby is old enough to understand how to treat books. For now, stick with sturdy board books and plastic bath books that allow for chewing and experimenting. Babies need the freedom to bite, tug and generally explore and abuse their objects, so don't expect books to stay in good condition.

You can still read regular paper books to your child, just put them away when you are done to preserve them a little longer. An infant just learning to use his hands doesn't realize that pulling on a thin paper can rip it, and even if it does rip, he won't understand why you are upset, so keep the more delicate tomes out of his reach.

Whether your baby is a recent arrival or is already sitting up on his own, it's never too early to start reading with him. The tradition of enjoying a good book will carry on for years and he will grow up appreciating books because you took the time to read to your baby.