Reading to Infants
All babies are born with the ability to understand and distinguish the languages of their environment. Babies should be read to as soon as possible, so that they get used to hearing language. Make reading a part of your daily routine from the day your child is born. If you do, your baby will believe that reading is just part of life, like eating and a diaper change. It will simply become part of what is done every day. Of course you will not actually be teaching your infant to read; instead you will be laying the foundation for later success.
The essential purpose in reading to infants is to provide the sensorial experiences that will help your baby associate reading with pleasure. The most important thing to take note of while reading to your infant is to be sure your baby is comfortable. To achieve this, be sure the baby isn't too hot or cold and isn't thirsty or hungry, or in need of a diaper change. You want your child to associate the reading experience with good feelings, and make it a pleasant experience for both of you. Cuddle up with your baby with his or her favorite blanket or toy as you read. The next thing to take note of is your baby's reactions while you read. Babies let us know when they have had enough by looking away or by even arching their backs. If your baby begins to fuss, stop immediately and attend to his or her needs. Your child will not realize that you did not finish the book. Reading to your baby while he or she is still fussing will weaken the positive resolve of the experience. You can always try again later. With babies, reading is a great way for them to bond with you. It gives them individualized attention; they begin to associate it with feeling safe and loved during this very special time. Always make books a part of your baby's toy selection, even if he or she enjoys handling books more than being read to.
There are many books that are interactive, which appeal to children's sensory development. It is important to remember that babies will most likely put the books into their mouths like everything else. Also, you will want to choose books that they can hold and touch without harming themselves. Get books that will withstand this type of usage. Books with simple, large pictures with bright colors made with thick cardboard or cloth and soft synthetic books that can go in the bath or get washed are the best from birth to about six months. Once the babies start to recognize and display a marked preference to their parents, usually around 7-8 months, brightly colored board books with sturdy pages that can be propped up or spread out in the crib or on a blanket with textured surfaces and photos of familiar objects like balls, bottles and of other babies, are appropriate. There are books with pop-ups and soft or squishy books that are colorful which babies can touch and see. These books are great for them because they teach kids more than just words.
Start with 3 to 5 minute experiences. Repeat them throughout the day when your baby seems receptive to such an activity. You can start increasing the time you read to them as they increase their interest in reading. This helps to develop a longer attention span, which is needed for learning throughout life. Make reading a habit for bedtime, after lunch, or after naptime. A good reading routine would be starting the day by reading a favorite book, then follow up with a reading before nap time to get them relaxed, and ending the day with another favorite book.
To maximize the effectiveness of your short reading experiences with your infant you should use voice inflections. This may help to hold his or her attention a little longer, but it will also slowly, over time, develop an interest and excitement in the process of reading and being read to. At 9 months old infants are able to focus on your voice and are learning through your vocal intonations and inflections. They are hearing how you use the language and what sounds to use to speak that language. Language can be said to be in two parts: receptive as in understanding, and expressive as in speaking. Reading to infants exposes them to receptive language experiences. This in turn, will prepare them for the expressive part of their language experiences by giving them a wider vocabulary choice and familiarizing them with intonations and inflections that are integral to each individual language.
The human brain tries to attach anything new to old information already in our brains. If the new information can be attached to something old, then we can understand it that must faster and better. Therefore it is critical that we help our children build a vast storehouse of background knowledge upon which new information can be attached. Background knowledge is very important because it helps your child better understand what he or she sees, hears, or reads. Use pictures in books to build vocabulary especially those with varying objects and in varying colors. Use pictures to develop speaking vocabulary by talking about what is shown. Encourage associations between symbols and their meanings by pointing out pictures of objects and offer their names. Over time your baby may begin to recognize familiar signs and logos for products such as cereals, diapers, soaps and shampoos. Eventually, your child will be able to name the pictures, too.
It's never too soon to start reading to your infant. If your baby learns early to associate reading with pleasure, he or she is more likely to enjoy reading on his or her own when older. Your aim as a parent should be to develop an interest and excitement in the process of reading and being read to. Remember, at this stage, you will not be actually teaching your infant to read; instead you are only laying the foundation for future success in reading.
