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Reading to Your Baby

When should I start reading to my baby?
Jim Trelease, long time read-aloud expert and author of the 'Read Aloud Handbook', says that even newborn will enjoy a good book. No matter what your baby's age, of course, reading provides a great opportunity for cuddling and socializing

Why is reading to my baby good for him?
In the long run, reading will help build your child's vocabulary, stimulate his imagination and improve his communication skills. In fact, the more you speak to your child from the get go, the better it is for his growth and development. Studies have shown that language skill - and even intelligence - can depend on an infant's daily exposure to a large vocabulary. In one such study, babies who heard an average of 2, 100 words an hour scored higher on standard tests when they reached age three than did children whose parents hadn't been as verbal. A running commentary on the state of the neighbourhood during your walk and naming his body parts as you bathe him are good ways to chat. Reading is more fun way to added variety to your verbal interactions. Establishing a daily routine of reading to your child will support later successes in learning to read and in doing well in school

This information is adapted from babyconnection.com where you can find more on reading and suggestions for books babies love