Reading: Early and Often

Studies have shown that two important factors in child’s school success are sharing books with adults and being read to from a very young age. Choosing books that are appropriate and sharing them in age-appropriate ways create a positive experience and foster a love of reading.

Let reading to an infant be a warm, sharing time. By holding a baby in your lap, you establish a bond of trust. A baby likes being close to you and hearing the sound of your voice. Though infants may not understand specific words, they do enjoy the sounds and rhythms of language. Read in exaggerated voices, emphasizing rhythms and rhymes.

Be sure that baby can see the book. Even the youngest infants like to look at colors and patterns. Point to the images in the book, touch, and name them as you read. Encourage baby to point also when he is able.

By the middle of the first year, a child may want to reach out and grab the book. That is fine, as baby is learning how to handle a book. A babbling baby may hold the book and “babble read”. He’s imitating you!

Related Training:
Early Literacy