Baby Reading

What kind of books are best for baby reading?

	Until baby is four months old the main aim is to help your baby become accustomed to the rhythm and intonation of your voice. It doesn't really matter at this stage what you read, as long as it sends happy, peaceful and relaxing vibes so that the sound of you reading helps them feel safe. Good examples are simple nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Note - babies as early as 8 months of age can display measurable long term storage of sound and word patterns. Early baby reading is proven to have significant effects of enhancing language skills.
	In baby's first year, your book selection should be ones that enhance sight and hearing, eg colourful pictures and repetitive sounds that baby can recognise and focus on early. Mother Goose nursery rhymes are excellent as the beat and gentle rhythmic chants appeal greatly to the sounds a baby desires. Note - it is important to read lots of books that have words that rhyme. It is proven that children who have been exposed to word games and reading books with rhyme have greater reading skills later in life and at school. This word recognition skill helps them to be able to arrange language and patterning.
	During the toddler stage it is important to help your child start labeling the environment. Choose simple picture books where you can point to illustrations and say the name of objects such as plane, horse, cup, brush, cat, truck etc. Try to say the names of "things" as your child interacts with them and reinforce the names with the picture books you read. Note - it is better to read the same books frequently and often, rather than choose new books each time. Especially prior to two years of age, this will help greater absorption and immersion. Repeated readings can clear misunderstandings and help them to learn our complex language. For specific examples of books recommended for each stage, see the Brainy Bambino 'My Baby Can Read Program'. Here you will find some useful tips on what to do if your child keeps interrupting stories with questions and other strategies to enhance reading immersion.

Typical Behavior During Baby Reading:

How children react to their parents and caregivers reading to them can vary significantly. Their interest in books can also differ a great deal. Here is some typical and normal behavior you can expect:

	From birth to four or five months of age, your baby has little choice but to watch and listen as their mobility is somewhat limited. This is why it is such a perfect time to introduce your baby to listening to and enjoying books. It makes reading to them flow and seem easy from here if you remain consistent.
	You should nurse your baby in a bonding and supportive way while reading to them from an early age. This one to one time with them is nurturing for your baby. Children look forward to this close cuddle time with a good book.
	From six to twelve months you may feel a little frustrated or disheartened as your baby becomes distracted with sucking the corners of the books or be more interested in turning the pages than listening. This is a time when many parents give up and feel helpless. Persevere with patience and remain consistent. Your baby is absorbing more than you may realise.
	Around twelve months of age your baby may become more interested in pointing to objects on the page and start responding to animal noises.
	As your toddler becomes more mobile, walking and becoming distracted by their surrounding environment, choose your reading times more carefully. Don't ever try to force a book onto a child when they are clearly not in the mood or too tired. But DO make special time for reading each day, even if it is in small doses.
	Realise that attention spans grow with more practice. So to increase your child's concentration, they need to be read to frequently. It won't happen overnight but practice makes perfect.
	For specific strategies on how to increase your child's attention span while baby reading and what you can do to hold their interest, visit the Brainy Bambino 'My Baby Can Read Program'..