Reading to your child is one of the best ways to help him get a head start on learning. Studies show that children who are read to at an early age have an easier time in school, have more extensive vocabularies and generally show higher test scores. So, when is the best time to start reading to your baby, and how should you go about it?


Baby’s First Story

You can put this one in the scrapbook right after Baby is Born. Beginning the very first day, read to your baby. Your baby will be soothed by your voice, and the tone and cadence you use while reading. When very young, it doesn’t even matter what you read. Read aloud to your baby all day long – the morning paper, the back of the Pampers box, the poem your four-year-old brings home from school.


Baby’s First Books

As soon as your baby can grasp little books, buy her a library of books of her own. Board books are great, and you can find versions of the classics, or photo books with pictures of other babies. Vinyl books can be taken anywhere (including the bathtub!) and are great for chewing on. They also wipe off well – even when smeared with pureed peas.


Bonding with Books

Encourage older children to read to Baby. This is a great way for a young reader to practice, and also a nice time for some sibling bonding. Daddy can also get into the action, as can grandma, grandpa, aunts and uncles. In the beginning, before the baby gets too choosy about her reading material, everyone can read their favorite book aloud. Enjoy it while it lasts – she’ll soon have her own favorites, and will want them to be read over and over (and over!)


Routine Reading

Some families find that setting a routine for reading time is helpful. “I generally read to Thomas right before bed, after bath time and pajamas. He’s all snuggly and sleepy and smells so good! We cuddle up in our special reading chair and read a book or two, then it’s off to bed,” says Anne, the mom of an eleven-month-old son. “By making it a part of our bedtime routine, Thomas knows that after the stories, it’s time for his crib and he hardly makes a fuss. It’s a good transition between playing in the tub and going to sleep.”

Other families find that reading to kids while they’re in the tub is a great distraction, especially when babies get to the age where they’re grabbing at the book. Brad, the father of two small boys says,” I usually get through two or three books while the dirt soaks off of them!”


Squirmy Babies

As babies get older, they may not want to sit still for stories. Continue reading to them, but don’t push it when they lose interest. You may try reading during breakfast, or bath time, or while they build a block tower.

Give a baby a toy or doll to hold while you read to her; that will keep little hands from grabbing and tearing pages.

Enjoy reading to your baby! You are introducing him to the world of books and stories – a world he’ll cherish as he gets older.


Some Classics to Look For

A quick survey of parents found the following baby books to be very popular:


Baby Board Books Series by Annie Kubler (including “Ten Little Fingers,” and “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”)

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

Baby Faces Books Board Books (series) by Roberta Grobel Intrater

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin and Eric Carle

Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss

Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton