Reading with your baby

The most important activity a parent can engage in with newborn babies, infants, toddlers and preschoolers is reading aloud to them

With little ones, don’t be too concerned about following the rules. Instead, start from the point of interest for the child—a picture they like, flaps they like to flip, starting at the end of the book. Let them get involved in the reading experience; it will help in developing the skills needed to become good readers.

Books that work well with babies:

• Durable books such as board books, vinyl, or cloth books
• Interactive books with textures, flaps, sounds, mirrors
• Books without words where the reader can make up the story
• Bright colours and bold outlines so the pictures are easily seen
• Books with large and simple pictures
• Predictable, repetitive books with catchy phrases that invite the child to join in
• Home-made books with familiar pictures of pets, family members
• Books with pictures of everyday objects or experiences (animals, colours, vehicles)
• Books your child really likes for any reason at all

Tanya Hill is an Education Specialist Consultant with Usborne Books. She enjoys reading and sharing these fabulous books with her 2 children and recommends Animal Hide and Seek, a Farmyard Tales book, for babies.