Reading with
babies
How can I read with my baby?
It's never too early to start reading
to your baby. Books are a great way
to entertain your baby as well as a
great way to build a relationship with
your child in the first months of life.
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Try
to create a time for reading with
your child every day when your
baby is alert and showing interest
in what is happening around him.
It may be a good idea to read
at the same time every day, or
in the same special chair.
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Babies see most
clearly at about 20 to 25 cm,
and when they are very young they
like to look at clear, simple
shapes which are brightly coloured.
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When reading, try
to look both at the book and your
baby. Point to the pictures and
talk about the things your baby
is looking at.
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When reading aloud,
try to use your voice in many
ways to make the story-time as
interesting for your baby as possible
- loud and soft, happy and sad.
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If you find books
your baby loves, read them over
and over and try to use the same
reading voice each time so they
get used to the pattern.
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You will need to
be persistent when reading to
your baby, as the length of time
your baby will be able to attend
to a story will grow over time.
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For more ideas and information
visit:
UK
Talk to your baby on the Literacy Trust Website (www.literacytrust.org.uk)
Bookstart www.bookstart.co.uk
Booktrust www.booktrust.org.uk
Australia
Reading with babies On the Child
and Youth Health Website www.cyh.com
Lets Read www.letsread.com.au
a Government Initiative to promote
reading to children from birth to
5 years. |
