Literate Babies
In my previous post Why Read? I listed a small collection of reasons why reading is so important in the first 5 years of life. One of those was helping to create a bond between a child and their carer. These bonds or relationships are fundamental to healthy brain development and, along with other experiences and skills developed through everyday life, create a strong foundation of skills on which formal learning depends. Of course, there are countless ways to bond with your baby but reading to them sets a strong foundation for early literacy.
Photo by Alyssa Stevenson on Unsplash
What to read to a baby…
Anything! I kid you not, read the newspaper, or that report you’re writing for work, or even that novel you’re desperate to read. The truth is, babies want to hear your voice so read with expression but read whatever you like, and you get bonus points if they can see your face while you’re doing it.
When it comes to kids books though, there are some things to look out for
Start off with board books. Trust me when I say that in no time that baby who can’t even lift its sweet head will be grabbing at those books and sucking on them. Soon those tiny fingers will try to mimic you and start trying to turn the pages. A board book will allow them a greater chance at success.
Books with faces. Babies learn so much from looking at our faces, including emotions, and they love to see other babies. Books with photos of other babies are a winner. You could even make a book using family photos!
High contrast pictures. Babies eyesight is still developing early on and so they are more able to focus high contrast images. Think black/white or bright colours/white with clean lines.
Repetition. Even from birth, babies are listening and learning.
Photo by Minnie Zhou on Unsplash
How to read to a baby…
Read in a quiet space without a TV, radio or music blaring. This is just so your baby can hear you and focus their attention.
Hold the book close enough for your baby to see it as their vision is only slowly strengthening.
At bedtime to create lifelong habits. I guess this is a personal preference of mine but I think reading is a perfect way to unwind before sleep (unless the book is really good and you can’t put it down).
With joy and love and plenty of expression.
Here in Geelong, libraries are back open after Covid 19 closures. Libraries are truly magical places, and I urge everybody to visit their local one (wherever you are in the world). Here is a glimpse of the board books available for us at the libraries here in Geelong.
