One of the best ways a parent can spend time with their child is to read to them. Babies love the sound of their parents' voices and the closeness associated with sharing a book together. Besides this there are also other benefits of reading to infants, it stimulates their ability to learn and understand the world around them in numerous ways.
Shortly after birth, parents can begin reading to their new son or daughter. Simply hearing the familiar sound of the parent's voice and snuggling in their arms brings a sense of comfort and security to the baby, which helps create closeness and intimacy between the two.
Even when the baby is too young to understand what is being read, he or she is still being exposed to a variety of words, which helps build a vocabulary. It also makes him or her aware of the basic elements of speech such as the tones, inflections, and rhythm patterns present in the words being read by the parent. Children who are introduced to sounds and words early, are more likely to read on their own when they are older.
Besides the obvious connection to developing language skills, reading books to babies has also been found to stimulate their early mathematical and critical thinking abilities. It also helps the child learn to speak at an earlier age, babies who are less exposed to words, are often late talkers. As children gain an understanding of what they hear, they will start to respond in turn by showing enthusiasm.
Listening to a book being read is a good way for babies to begin to understand what emotions are as well, as there hear about the feelings story characters have relating to their experiences. This can effectively help materialize this abstract concept for young listeners. The visual aspects of a book such as letters, shapes, patterns, and colors, are also beneficial to the baby's sensory and cognitive development.
Although enjoying a story anytime through the day is good, it can be particularly helpful right before the child's bedtime. The sound of mom's or dad's voice is often conducive to a peaceful night's sleep for the little one, many young children even drift off before the story is finished because they feel so relaxed and secure, and it is the perfect way to calm down following a busy day.
Books selected for an infant need to be suitable for the child's age. The best picks are those which are more or less indestructible, made of materials such as cloth or vinyl or board books, since babies can be tough on them. They should feature simple verses, perhaps rhymes, familiar objects, bright colors, and even different tactile textures for the baby to touch.
Older babies will start to play a more active role in their own storytime as they begin to recognize pictures and sounds. They will point out and name objects, imitate sounds, and show a definite response to what they are hearing. These early literary experiences are essential for instilling a love of books and reading that can last for a lifetime.
Shortly after birth, parents can begin reading to their new son or daughter. Simply hearing the familiar sound of the parent's voice and snuggling in their arms brings a sense of comfort and security to the baby, which helps create closeness and intimacy between the two.
Even when the baby is too young to understand what is being read, he or she is still being exposed to a variety of words, which helps build a vocabulary. It also makes him or her aware of the basic elements of speech such as the tones, inflections, and rhythm patterns present in the words being read by the parent. Children who are introduced to sounds and words early, are more likely to read on their own when they are older.
Besides the obvious connection to developing language skills, reading books to babies has also been found to stimulate their early mathematical and critical thinking abilities. It also helps the child learn to speak at an earlier age, babies who are less exposed to words, are often late talkers. As children gain an understanding of what they hear, they will start to respond in turn by showing enthusiasm.
Listening to a book being read is a good way for babies to begin to understand what emotions are as well, as there hear about the feelings story characters have relating to their experiences. This can effectively help materialize this abstract concept for young listeners. The visual aspects of a book such as letters, shapes, patterns, and colors, are also beneficial to the baby's sensory and cognitive development.
Although enjoying a story anytime through the day is good, it can be particularly helpful right before the child's bedtime. The sound of mom's or dad's voice is often conducive to a peaceful night's sleep for the little one, many young children even drift off before the story is finished because they feel so relaxed and secure, and it is the perfect way to calm down following a busy day.
Books selected for an infant need to be suitable for the child's age. The best picks are those which are more or less indestructible, made of materials such as cloth or vinyl or board books, since babies can be tough on them. They should feature simple verses, perhaps rhymes, familiar objects, bright colors, and even different tactile textures for the baby to touch.
Older babies will start to play a more active role in their own storytime as they begin to recognize pictures and sounds. They will point out and name objects, imitate sounds, and show a definite response to what they are hearing. These early literary experiences are essential for instilling a love of books and reading that can last for a lifetime.
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