Starting Early

It’s never too early to start your baby on the road to reading success. Language development is key. Babies are attuned to their parents’ voices before birth, and love to listen to their parents from birth on. The human voice is soothing to infants and they will become quiet and more attentive when their parent speaks directly to them. You can use this interest to set the groundwork for reading success. Be sure to talk to your baby in your own language, whatever that language might be. It is more natural, making it easier for you to express yourself. There will be time for your child to learn English later on.
 

Talk, Talk, Talk

It’s very important as well as educational to talk with infants as you take care of all the routines that are part of everyday life, such as feeding, diapering, bathing and rocking your child to sleep. As you change his diaper, tell your baby just what you are doing.

Most parents automatically use a high-pitched voice to talk with infants, and this is a tone that babies respond well to. Tell him you are going to change him, that you are taking off the dirty diaper, that the wipes will feel a little cold, and that he will soon feel clean and dry.

Make Reading Fun

Share books and reading activities with your baby when she is awake, alert and happy so that reading and language development are always good experiences. Avoid putting any pressure on your child and do not try to extend an activity when she is tired, hungry, uncomfortable, or bored. You will be amazed, as she grows, that your baby will learn to love books, will bring you favorite stories again and again, and will begin to take an interest in letters and words, as she begins to understand what the reading process is all about.

Click on the following for additional resources on reading:

Reading with your baby

Toddlers love to read, too.

You are your child’s first teacher

Helping your child to become a reader

Where can I get reading supplies for my child(ren)?

Where can a parent get help learning to read?