It’s never too early to read to your baby. As soon as your baby is born, they start learning. By reading with your baby, you foster a love of books and reading right from the start. Here are our top five picks and tips for reading with your babe.
1. Read Me a Book by Barbara Reid. Best-selling author and illustrator Barbara Reid has created a colorful celebration of the pleasures of reading to babies and young children, anytime and anywhere. Warm and detailed plasticine illustrations of adults and children reading together join with bouncy, rhythmic verse to invite children and parents to share the joy of reading indoors and out, at any time of day!
2. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox. “There was one little baby who was born far away. And another who was born on the very next day. And both of these babies, as everyone knows, had ten little fingers and ten little toes.” No matter which part of the world a baby comes from - born on the ice or in a tent - that baby has “ten little fingers and ten little toes”; the pleasing refrain of this wonderful, rhyming tribute to the chubby, sweet universality of babies of all colors.
3. All Fall Down by Helen Oxenbury. Young children will appreciate the game played by children in this sturdy book. Rhyming text and uncluttered illustrations are just right to share with the youngest child.
4. Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden. What can you “peek-a” through the die-cut window? Does it “moo,” say “boo” or could it be You? Turn the page and find out! A predictable format and bold illustrations are sure to engage and delight.
5. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Jane Cabrera. The familiar rhyme continues all the way to 20 as a rabbit helps the farm animals get ready for a party. A small chick on each page encourages young readers to look closely as chicks are hidden on each spread. Bright, boldly lined illustrations are appealing and child-like.
Read-aloud tips for babies and toddlers:
Find a comfortable spot where you and your child will be comfy and not distracted.
Read with expression. Use voices. Do sound effects. Make a fool of yourself; your child will love it!
Short aqsimple board books are great for babies. Some of the best books have hardly any words at all.
Let your child turn the pages if they can. Over time, they will learn which way up the book goes, that the letters are what you are reading and that text flows from left to right.
Little ones love rhyming, word play and songs. Mix up your read-aloud choices and see how babies gain language.
By talking, singing, playing and loving your baby every day, you help them develop language skills necessary to become an avid reader.
Calgary Reads innovates and inspires the reading revival, because we all have a role to play in creating a thriving community where all children can read with confidence and joy! Visit the website, calgaryreads.com, for videos, resources and games to help you build the joy of reading in your child.
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