Reading with Young Children

Before your baby is even born, you can begin her own library. Why not start by adding books to your baby shower "wish list"? Today's picture books range from simple, colorful stories with little text to artistic, beautiful renditions with reading levels up to sixth grade or higher. Welcome them all and take time in those few quiet months before the baby arrives to read them yourself. If you like them, your child is much more likely to share your enthusiasm.

When reading to an infant, it won't matter so much what you read as that he is hearing the sound of your voice. So Dads, go ahead and read Sports Illustrated to your "chip off the old block," and he or she is sure to enjoy it! Try these tips as you read with babies ages six-weeks to three-months old.

• Start with short readings (as little as five minutes) when your child is settling down for a nap or when you are rocking her in your arms.
  
  
• Keep your voice calm; no need to be theatrical for children this age. Choose books like Mem Fox's Time for Bed, a lullaby of a story, or excerpts from Hush, Little Ones by John Butler.
  
  
• Once you're in a routine, try reading to your baby when he's fussy. If you've already set the pattern to connect reading with a calm, warm, close time, sharing a story before he becomes over-stimulated can help him quiet down.

As your youngster becomes more active and gains strength, you can begin "engaged reading"—that is letting the baby sit on your lap upright when fully awake to look at the book and pictures while you read. Choose simple stories that can be read in a short time. Most 32-page simple picture books take only two or three minutes to read.