How to Read Aloud to a Baby Age 4 to 8 Months Old

Learning how to teach your baby to read is a fun and exciting experience, especially when your baby is between the age of 4 and 8 months. Babies of this age are starting to reach for things more effectively, which means they will be reaching for books. Babies of this age also recognize familiar sounds such as their name. By reading to your baby every day, your baby will learn more words.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby books

1. Select an appropriate book. Books that are small, durable and tactile are good choices for babies of this age.
2. Select books with images and activities that are familiar and enjoyable to your baby. If your baby likes playing with cats, then get a book about cats. Also, babies of this age are learning about their body parts, so books about body parts are a good choice.
3. Assist your baby as they attempt to explore their book through touch. Learning through multiple senses is far more powerful than learning through one sense.
4. Follow your baby's lead by watching their eyes. You baby's gaze will tell you what is most interesting to them.
5. Vary the pitch, speed and volume of your voice while you are reading. This will keep your baby engaged and interested.
6. Integrate your baby's life into the story you are reading. If it is a story about a cat you can say, "See, this cat is like your cat, Charlie." This makes reading more personal and valuable to babies.
7. Question your baby about things in the story. If you see a cow, ask your baby what sound the cow makes. Then tell the baby that a cow says "moo." You are preparing your baby for eventually responding to you when you ask a question.

Tips & Warnings

• As long as your baby shows interest, continue to read books that you have read since your baby was newborn.
• Various seating positions are good for babies this age, but always be sure that your baby can actually see the book.
• Use your baby's name while you are reading. This will help keep your baby interested.
• Don't continue reading a book to your child once they have lost interest.
• Don't feel the need to read the book from cover to cover.