One of the highlights of my work week is my weekly baby storytimes. Caregivers and children 0-18 months gather for a half hour of songs, rhymes, tickles, bounces, lifts and stories. It’s incredibly adorable, and so, so much fun.
One question I get asked a lot is: when should I start reading to my baby?
My answer: As soon as possible! It’s literally never too early to make reading a part of your daily routines – you could read with your baby on the car ride home from the hospital!
This seems to puzzle a lot of new parents. They worry because their babies can’t focus on the pages, or they can’t (or won’t) sit still, or they get fussy and cry half way through the book.
To which I respond : Of course they do, they are babies after all!
And so, here are a few tips I like to leave with caregivers at my babytimes.
Babies are listening, even if it doesn’t always seem like it.
Babies’ brains are like little sponges. They are absorbing and processing information every moment of their waking lives. Their bodies take in massive amounts of sensory information, from their mouths, their fingers and toes, their eyes, their nose and their ears. Even if baby isn’t looking at you, or doesn’t seem to be paying attention, reading aloud immerses baby in vocabulary, rhythm and spoken language. The sound of a beloved grownup’s voice is also soothing and comforting, and is one of the greatest gifts a caregiver can give to their child.
There’s no one right way to read.
When reading a picture book with a baby or young child, make it your own. Make up your own words to match the pictures! Skip pages! Make up your own tunes! Translate stories into different languages as you read them! Once a book is in your hands, you are the boss, and as long as you’re reading aloud, anything goes.
Let baby take the lead
If baby is feeling dozy or cuddly, that’s the perfect time to snuggle together with a picture book. If baby is feeling fussy or wiggly, let them roam! Forcing baby to sit still while you read to them doesn’t improve their retention, but it can help baby associate reading with negative emotions. When baby is ready to sit still and listen for longer periods of time, he’ll let you know!
Fill it with love!
The best baby reading sessions are filled with cuddles, tickles and kisses from loving grownups. Helping children associate reading with happy memories is a crucial part of raising confident, happy readers.
And there you have it – some of my sweet, simple takeaways for grownups and their babies. It’s not rocket science, but it bears repeating – it’s never to early to read, read, read!
Oh…the photos!