When you share stories, songs, and rhymes with a baby you create bonding moments together. These positive interactions stimulate your baby’s brain development by laying the foundation for future language, learning, and reading.
Play: Let your baby explore books. A book is often baby’s first toy. Most babies discover books by playing with them and putting them in their mouths. Look for sturdy books for babies, like board books
Talk: Talk to your baby about what you’re doing as you’re doing it. Respond to her expressions, movements, and sounds – remember baby babbling is baby language. This is how she communicates with you.
Sing: Your baby loves the sound of your voice. Share songs and rhymes in the car, in the tub, on the bus, anywhere and everywhere.
Read: Sharing a book can be a part of your daily routine. Enjoy a quiet time sharing a board book or simple picture book with your baby. Research shows that if you read, talk, sing, and share rhymes with your baby daily, he will be better prepared for kindergarten and reading.
It’s never too early or too late to start sharing books, rhymes, and songs with your baby!
Books Babies Love
Books for baby hands
Light, sturdy books are perfect for baby to hold – babies love board books. There are study, wipe-clean picture books available too.
The book should not be so tiny that the pictures are hard to see, or so big that you can’t fit both baby and book on your lap.
Colorful bright pictures on a white background
Pictures should be clear and identifiable, even if they are not familiar. Things to touch and feel make reading an interactive experience for the baby.
Things to touch and feel
Fun textures, mirrors, and cut-outs help to reinforce shared reading as a nurturing, pleasurable time for you and baby. Check for durability and ease of use by tiny fingers. Nursery rhymes, songs and lullabies
Nursery rhymes, songs, and lullabies
Jiggle or bounce baby as you sing or chant these rhymes. This helps babies to enjoy their rhythm. Babies and toddlers love repetition!
Stories about baby’s daily life and the world around them
Babies love to see other babies, and their own lives reflected in books.
