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As a children's librarian I am often asked, "When should I start reading out loud with my children?" The answer? It is never to early to start!
Reading together builds language skills and stimulates the imagination. It introduces children to art through illustrations, and provides entertainment. Babies and children that have been read to typically become good readers earlier and perform better in school.
Story time is a warm and caring ritual that shows your child he is important and creates a lasting bond.
According to parental surveys from the US Department of Education, in 1998 57% of children age 3-5 years were read to daily. This is an increase over past years. Moms, dads, and caregivers are getting the message. But only 39% of infants were read to.
It is helpful to look at your child's development and see how this effects the types of books you select for your child. These are only guidelines, and your own child has his own personality and rate of development.
INFANT: 0-6 MONTHS
1) A new baby can not see as well as an adult, but her hearing is acute. Reading and stories should focus on sound.
2) Read out loud with baby on your lap, in a bouncy seat, or even while she wiggles on the floor.
3) Share lullabies, short songs, and rhythmic activities. Talk to you baby. She really is listening.
4) Choose very high contrast books or pictures to show to baby. Black and white patterns are good first choices.
INFANT: 6-12 MONTHS
1) Your baby can now focus on bright simple shapes and pictures. Guide your baby's hand and help him point to pictures as you talk about them.
2) Everything goes into his mouth! Vinyl puffy book or sturdy board books are good choices.
3) Vary your tone when reading. Babies will respond to the excitement in your voice or funny sound effects. Try to have a few books with built in sound effects or buttons he can push.
4) Touch is very important to babies. Look for books that have different textures.
5) Older babies often like to look at pictures of familiar faces or objects. Browse your own photo album. Look for books with photos of other babies.
TODDLER: 12-18 MONTHS
1) Your child's verbal skills are developing very rapidly. This means she is learning to understand what you say as well as talk herself.
2) Toddlers are making the connection between words and what they represent. Label objects and pictures.
3) Let your child help turn the pages. Keep sturdy board books in a place your toddler can reach on his own.
4) Choose books that give your toddler a chance to participate. For example, a book about animals gives the chance to imitate animal sounds.
5) Know your child and keep story time short but frequent, if needed. Reading together is fun, something to be encouraged but not forced. Find
a special time and place for reading together.
TODDLER: 18-24 MONTHS
1) Toddlers can understand many more words than they can say. During this age, toddlers typically experience a "vocabulary burst" and start to
form simple sentences.
2) Point to pictures in books and encourage him to label what he sees.Praise him for correct responses, and give him the words he needs if he
doesn't seem to be able to say it himself.
3) Plan to read a favorite book over and over and over.
4) Keep books in the car. You never know when you might need them. Toddlers often enjoy books that have flaps to lift or windows to wiggle their fingers in.
5) Continue to pick books that encourage participation and sounds.
Toddlers often go through stages where they may prefer a primary caregiver for cuddly reading time. This is normal and not a reflection other caregivers. Keep trying.
This is only the beginning. As your child turns two and becomes more verbal, reading and stories take on even more importance. If you have an older child and have not been reading aloud, do not despair. It is never too late to begin.
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