How to Read Aloud to a Baby

Many parents do not realize that their babies can read. While they don't read words, they do read our expressions and the sounds they hear as we talk to them. These listening and observing activities are prerequisites to learning to read words. The more opportunities your baby has to listen to you and interact with his environment, the better prepared your baby will be to learn to read. Therefore, reading aloud to your baby is perhaps one of the most important things you will do as a parent.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby books

Select an Appropriate Book

1. Watch your baby to determine if he is still a listener. Young infants are typically good listeners and benefit from nursery rhymes or books with rhythm.

2. Look to see if your baby observes his environment. Babies who are able to track objects in their world will enjoy books with bright colors. Also, they may benefit from books that have one or two objects per page.

3. Observe to see if your baby reaches for the books you are reading. If so, it is a good idea to introduce books that he can touch and easily manipulate. Also, your baby may enjoy touching and feeling books, which allows him to become involved in reading.

4. Notice if your baby enjoys certain activities. If your baby enjoys certain routines or activities, they may also enjoy books about these activities.

5. Listen to the sounds your baby makes. As your baby starts making more sounds, they may enjoy books which allow them to repeat a word or sound. Books which talk about animal sounds tend to bring about participation from your baby after numerous readings.

Read to Your Baby

6. Hold your younger baby, but be aware that as your baby grows he may want more freedom. Therefore, you can allow your older baby to sit or stand.

7. Look to be sure that your baby can see the pictures as you are reading.

8. Allow your baby to touch the book. They may even want to put the book in their mouth. This is why it is good to start with cloth or vinyl books.

9. Finish reading when your baby loses interest. You do not need to read every page. You don't even need to read every word.

10. Read books over and over again. Repetition is a very powerful tool. Children remember words they have heard repeatedly.

11. Use parentese when reading to your baby. Parentese is a type of talking that is high-pitched and sometimes like a song. This type of talking is also slower and louder.

12. Establish a time every day for reading to your child. Reading to your child should be as routine as eating dinner.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk about the pictures. It is not necessary to read the words in the beginning.
• Create your own homemade books for your child. Children love these books.
• Allow your baby to select the books. It's okay if they select the same book again and again.
• Watch your baby's eyes as you turn the pages. If they are looking at the elephant, then talk about the elephant. Let their eyes guide your reading.
• Remember that your baby can read, they just need guidance from you to further develop this skill.
• Don't force your child to finish a book if they have lost interest.
• Don't be afraid to skip pages or to paraphrase the text.
• Resist the temptation to read books that you may like, but you know your baby does not enjoy. Your baby should be your guide.

Resources

• Get tips on reading with your baby at Reading is Fundamental.
• Check out this step-by-step guide to learning how to read to your baby.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics provides an excellent reading check-up guide.