- Reading, storytelling, talking and singing with your baby helps her learn about sounds, words and language.
- When you read to your baby, try reading slowly. Point out words and pictures on each page and change the tone of your voice as you read.
- Babies enjoy listening to books with good rhyme, rhythm and repetition.
Why reading with your baby is important
Sharing stories, talking and singing helps your baby’s development in lots of ways.
Doing these activities every day helps your baby get familiar with sounds, words, language and, eventually, the value and joy of books. This all builds your baby’s early literacy skills and helps him go on to read successfully later in life.
Reading stories also stimulates your baby’s imagination and helps her learn about the world around her. It’s a great time for you to bond with your baby and share time together too.
You can start reading aloud to your baby as early as you like – the earlier the better.
Sharing books with your baby
Even young babies can learn from the experience of reading books with you. For example, you can:
- read slowly and spend time on each page after you read the words – this lets your baby focus on the shape of words and pictures
- turn the pages when you read with your baby – this shows him how to use a book
- point out and name familiar and new things your baby sees on the page, instead of reading the words – the more words children hear, the more words they learn
- change the tone of your voice as you read – this makes it easier for your baby to pick up on different speech sounds, which is an important step towards learning to make sounds himself.
Here are some general tips to help you make the most of reading time with your little one:
- Set up a special reading space at home – for example, a chair, lounge or beanbag that’s big and comfortable enough for you and baby, with a box of books or bookshelf nearby.
- Make a routine, and try to share at least one book every day. For example, sharing a book can be a relaxing way to end the day.
- Turn off the TV or radio, and find a quiet space so your baby can hear your voice.
- Try out funny noises and sounds – play and have fun!
- Hold the book fairly close to your baby so she can see. You can hold your baby close, on your knee or sit in front of her while you read, so she can see your face too.
What to read with your baby
There are so many books to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start.
In general, babies enjoy books that have good rhymes, rhythm and repetition. This repetition and rhyming helps children learn.
From when your baby is born, you might like to look for:
- books with bright colours or simple, large and high-contrast pictures like black and white pictures – these are interesting and easy for babies to focus on
- books with different textures so your baby can hear, see and feel the book
- books with pictures of babies and faces
- soft, waterproof plastic and cloth books that can go in your baby’s mouth and into the bath.
Here are some books your baby might enjoy:
- Baby touch colours by Ladybird Books
- Baby touch words by Ladybird Books and Justine Smith
- Brown bear brown bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin Junior
- Polar bear polar bear, What do you hear? by Bill Martin Junior
- Aussie babies can by Magabala Books
- Aussie toddlers can by Magabala Books
- I went walking by Sue Machin
- Walking through the jungle by Julie Lacome
- How many kisses do you want tonight? by Varsha Bajaj
- Crocodile beat by Gail Jorgensen and Patricia Mullins
- Everywhere babies by Susan Meyers.
Credit Article from raisingchildren.net.au
