This is from our home bookshelf.
Today I am going to write about the importance of reading to infants.
Babies are fun to read to. For newborn babies it does not make any difference what you read, they will listen. Read your favorite magazine, a recipe, the newspaper or a novel. The important part is that they hear your voice. They hear words being spoken, They hear different inflections and sound patterns. They will feel a bond to you as you hold them close and read to them, they will feel loved and secure as they hear your voice and experience your closeness.
These are the books for your infants
As your baby grows (4-6 months) and is able to focus on the pictures of a book, vinyl and cloth books are great. The pictures are colorful and simple with a few words on a page. As you read these books your baby will make a connection between words and the objects in the pictures. Many of these books have simple stories that may rhyming words so that your baby will continue to learn sounds.
When your baby is able to sit alone and hold books, board books are also great. As you read the books to your baby he sees how pages are turned and will try to turn pages on his own. As you read to him/her he sees that reading is important and part of his everyday life. His language will improve as he starts to imitate the sounds that he hears you make. He/she will start to recognize pictures and when you ask, “Where is the ball?”, he will point to the picture of the ball.
Our infant grandson gets books for Christmas.
How often should you read to your baby? Everyday! It does not have to be long periods at a time. Five minutes several times a day. Make it a routine, everyday before nap or before bed. Other times during the day work great too, pick a time when your baby is the happiest, after being fed or after waking up from a nap.
What books should I pick? Alphabet books, books with simple and colorful pictures, books that have rhyming words are all great.
Reading to your baby is a great activity to do with your baby that will reap benefits both now and down the road-your child will be his/her way to becoming a reader.