WHEN should I start reading to my baby?

It's never too early! Once your baby arrives, reading to your newborn is a must, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. At first, your baby won't understand your words, but hearing your voice stimulates an interest in sounds and helps him develop listening skills.

Plus, no matter what your baby's age, reading together is a great opportunity for cuddling and bonding. By developing a regular reading routine from the start, books will become a natural part of your child's day and will associate it with fun.

WHY is reading to my baby good for her?

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photo courtesy of Elefantitas Alegres
Reading helps build your child's vocabulary, stimulates her imagination, memory and improves her communication skills.

When reading, your child hears you using many different emotions and expressive sounds, which fosters social and emotional development. Reading also invites your baby to look, point, touch, and answer questions — all of which promote
social development and thinking skills. And your baby improves language skills by imitating sounds, recognizing pictures, and learning words.

HOW can babies get the most out of reading?

The interaction you have with your child is the key to making the most out of reading. Help your child make connections in the story and associations in real life.

For example, if there's a yellow ball in the book you're reading, point to the red ball he likes to play with and ask him a question: "Do you like the yellow ball or the red ball best?" Go ahead and tell him the answer for now: "I think you like the red ball better than the yellow ball because you can play with it."

Before you know it, he'll surprise you with his own answer!