8 [Actually Useful] Tips for Reading to Your Baby

So You Don't Feel Completely Ridiculous While Doing It

 

Reading to babies can have a significant impact on their language development and cognitive skills. But let's all admit that it feels kind of ridiculous reading to a 1 month old that can barely hold his own head up.

When reading to toddlers and young children, we know they have some understanding of what is going on in the book. Even if they don't, they have the ability to sit still long enough to get through the entire book. But babies? Not so much. 

Before giving up on reading to your baby, here are 8 tips to help you not feel so ridiculous when reading to your baby:

Tip #1 - Choose Age-Appropriate Books

We all want our babies to grow up to be little scholars, right? Shakespeare, Mark Twain, we want them to grow up with a love for great literature. We'll get there, I promise, but first, we need to start a bit smaller.

No novels, no chapter books; we want to make sure to keep the books we read to our babies age appropriate. Choose books that are suitable for your baby's age and development. For infants, that means choosing books with large pictures and simple, repetitive text. Check out this list for a few suggestions on great books to read to your baby.

Tip #2 - Don't Limit Your Book Selection

This may seem a bit counter-intuitive to tip #1, but bear with me. Many parents think reading to babies means reading board books.

Board books often have touch and feel features created with babies in mind. Board books are great once babies begin exploring the world with their hands, but great story-telling can also come in other formats.

Many parents find their babies enjoy the story-telling that comes with children books designed for ages 2-8. The vibrant, beautiful pictures and colors make reading time fun for baby and parents. And, let's face it, you'll probably enjoy it much more too, which brings me to tip #3.

Tip #3 - Make it Personal

When you are selecting books to read to your baby, find books that YOU will enjoy reading. Children's picture books are a great place to start your search. Find books that you find interesting so that your baby will find excitement in the book as much as you do. A great place to look for books for baby and parent is a baby book club.

Many baby book club programs offer a book subscription that delivers new books every month. These subscription boxes can be tailored to your child's age and interests. Here are 5 of the best baby book clubs to get you started.

If you like books with humor, try books like "What Did We Miss" by Tiffany Semmons. If you prefer more sentimental books, grab a copy of "Written in the Stars for You" by Tyranika Abrams. Whichever type of book you choose, make it personal so you and baby both enjoy the experience!

Tip #4 - Make it Interactive

One way to enjoy reading is to make it interactive. A sure way to do so is to choose interactive books. Titles like "This Book is Perfect" by Ron Keres is a great option!

Another way to make reading interactive is to use different voices, facial expressions and hand gestures to engage your baby throughout the story. While reading, ask your baby questions, point to pictures and encourage your baby to help you turn the pages.

Making reading interactive is a way to encourage your baby's engagement, even at such a young age. And, even if your baby doesn't engage, it could still make a pretty entertaining YouTube video.

Tip #5 - Keep it Short and Sweet

Your baby is learning lots of things like tone and language development during these moments with you. The fact remains, however, that babies have short attention spans.

Many of the best books for baby are short and sweet! Prioritize keeping your reading sessions short and engaging. Aim for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Any longer and baby may become disengaged.

Tip #6 - Choose a Comfortable Spot

Few things are worse than being in an uncomfortable position for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. When you start your reading sessions with your baby, find a comfortable spot where you and your baby can sit together and read. That could be a cozy corner of the couch or a nice rocking chair in baby's nursery. Whether a soft blanket on the floor or a designated reading nook, be sure you and baby are comfy before your reading session to minimize interruptions.

Tip #7 - Read Regularly

Make reading a regular part of your daily routine. Many parents find that getting their baby into a steady, daily routine helps with things like nap times, feedings and nighttime sleeping. Building reading into your regular routine can help your baby settle immediately before or after transitioning to a new activity.

Try adding reading to your baby's bedtime routine to help them calm down and right before bed. A nice, warm bath right before reading time could be just what baby needs to lull them right to sleep. Don't worry if your baby falls asleep during reading, especially if that was your ultimately goal. Just make sure you follow shortly after!

Tip #8 - Be Patient

Your baby may seem uninterested in reading when you first start. Babies don't understand much of what's going on around them. They are constantly learning a lot of information on a daily basis. At this point, we're not expecting baby to give you their undivided attention.

What we're wanting is to create a bonding experience that sets the foundation for your baby to grow to love reading. With consistency in your routine, your baby will become more and more engaged and interested in books. Before you know it, you'll be raising your master scholar!

It's All About the Experience

Reading to your baby is a great way to start early language development. More importantly, it is a great way to create a strong bond between you and your little one. Although your baby cannot understand what the book is about, they will always understand what it means for you to take time out of your day to spend it with them.