Reading to Babies

People ask me all the time when they should start reading to babies. People often feel weird reading to a child who is so young that they may not even be able to react.

As a Speech-Language pathologist with over twenty years of experience, I can tell you that it is never too early to start reading to babies. I have a unique perspective on language development and the role books play. That is the short answer to a much longer question. This article is part of a series on the importance of reading and creating reading readiness.

Reading to babies is such a simple yet impactful way to create a strong foundation for reading success. There are so many cognitive and emotional benefits of reading to babies regularly and from a young age.

I will talk you through the “Why” you should start reading to your baby as early as possible, as well as the “When”, “How”, and “What” to read. I will even suggest types of books to begin a library for your baby. You do not need hundreds of dollars’ worth of books. In fact, I will help you curate a library of five books to carry you through the first year.

Why Reading to Babies is Crucial?

1. Language Development: Babies are born with an amazing ability to learn and absorb information. Exposure to language through books helps build vocabulary, understand grammar, and recognize patterns in language. Reading to babies establishes a routine of reading together from a young age and lays the foundation for future reading success.
2. Social-Language Development: Not only are the words on the page important, but the way the words are read can be critical for learning to understand language. How things are said can change the meaning of the sentence (think sarcasm). When children hear books and stories read aloud, they can begin to decipher the meaning of the words and how they are said. The rhythm and melody of your voice will help your baby learn to understand context as they develop.
3. Social-Emotional Development: Reading to a baby creates a special bonding time between the adult and the child. The time spent reading together creates a sense of security. It’s not just about the words; it’s about the connection. As children get older, the stories themselves can also provide a framework upon which they can understand the world around them and various social situations they may encounter. They can observe characters who are like them or very different from them. They can begin to understand another perspective, empathy, and problem-solving.
4. Imagination and Creativity: Books introduce babies to new worlds and ideas, sparking their imaginations. Even at a young age, children can dream up their own stories and ideas, which is crucial for their creative development. Reading to babies helps them develop their imaginations at a crucial time in their development.

When to Start Reading to Babies

Reading to your baby is so important for their language development.  In the beginning, this can feel so awkward. After all, how much will an infant understand? In the newborn and infant stages, babies will not understand words. 

However, they are soothed by the sound of a voice, will prefer their mother’s voice to that of a stranger, and will begin to respond to different intonations.  When you read to your baby, you create a designated time for interaction and language development.

There are different kinds of languages.  Verbal language (talking) and nonverbal language (eye contact and turn-taking) are equally important, and when you read to your baby, you are allowing development in both areas. So, how do you do this? 

1. Start Early

Initially, when you read to your newborn, they are listening to the sound of your voice.  I used to read books that rhymed at this age because I liked the rhythm and flow of the book.  It was soothing for my kids.  But, at the newborn stage, you can read anything. Reading to babies can take place at any time!

Do you have a novel you are reading? Read that out loud in a calm and soothing tone.  Studying for an exam, reading a magazine? You can read those out loud.  The tone of your voice and the time together are the most important things during this newborn stage. Remember, at this age, there are no wrong first books for a baby.

2. Take Turns

Let your child give you cues.  As soon as your child starts making noises (at about one month), use this as a chance for interaction.  When you read a story and your baby makes a noise, pretend they have just commented on the book and respond to them. 

For example, you could say “Yes, you are right, that is a cow.” Or you can say “I love the picture of the truck.  It says beep beep.”.  Not only are you giving your child vocabulary but you are building the foundations of conversational speech by taking turns. 

As your baby starts to make more sounds, you can extend the turn-taking into asking questions. Take your time to ask your baby about the pictures on the page. Be sure to pause and wait for your baby to “answer”.  Their answer can be a noise, a leg kick, or even just their eyes following what you are pointing to. 

Either way, use this interaction to answer the question and add more information.  For example: “Do you see the pig? Yes, you are right, that is a big pig.  The pig is pink.”

3. Read and Talk, Talk, Talk

Every opportunity to talk to your child gives them a better chance for language development as they grow.  Reading to babies helps narrate the world for your baby.  This may seem so strange at first but, your child will get so much information from the things you say. 

They can learn body parts, counting, action words, plurals, and the names of the things that surround them all day. As you talk, your child learns about the world around them.  Think of yourself as the narrator and star of a movie. For example, as you are getting your baby dressed, you can say, “I’m putting your socks on your feet.  One foot, two feet.  Here we go. One sock, two socks”.  

What else can you do to interact with your baby? Sing to them.  Even if you have the worst voice in the world, your baby will love to hear you sing.  I particularly like songs that have actions like “Row Row Row Your Boat” or “If You Are Happy and You Know It.”  I also like songs with turn-taking opportunities like “Old MacDonald”. 

Even if your baby cannot answer with words, they may make sounds or noises to let you know they are taking their turn.  Another favorite in my house was the game peek a boo.  While this is such a simple game, there is so much to learn about turn-taking, waiting, and anticipation.  These are all building blocks of communication later in life. 

4. Make story time fun and interactive

There are many ways to make reading a favorite time of day. Change the intonation of your voice, make silly voices, and let your child or baby help you turn the pages. You can point out where you are reading as well. Don’t worry about being too silly. Getting your child to engage is the most important thing for reading readiness skills

5. Let your child’s imagination run wild

Ask a lot of questions- even when your child cannot talk. If they cannot answer, you can answer for them. Be sure to let your child expand their imagination. You can vary the books you read so they are exposed to new words. Your local library is a perfect place to visit to pick out new books regularly.

6. Choose the Right Books

You can help develop your child’s reading readiness by choosing the right books. If you are not sure where to start, go to the library and pick out a variety of books to see what your child enjoys the most. Of course, I have so many recommendations for you as well. You can have a look at my posts below with choices of books for babies through emergent readers.

As your child grows older, this will also mean choosing books that are at the correct level. The right books can grow your child’s confidence as a reader. Typically, kids will understand at a higher level than they can read themselves. If they are reading independently, let them guide the level. If they want to read a graphic novel, GREAT! Any reading is better than nothing. You can help them get to a higher level of independent reading by reading to them.

7. Incorporate reading into your daily routine.

From the time your baby comes home until they are independent readers, you should incorporate reading into your daily routine to help them further their reading readiness skills. If they are independent readers, choose books that are slightly higher than what they can read independently. Stop to explain new vocabulary and ask questions. You can do they same with babies even when they cannot answer you. Developing language skills is the first step on the path to becoming a lifelong reader

Frequently Asked Questions

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