When babies are small, we spend so much time creeping around them, trying to get them to sleep in a quiet room, that it's easy to forget how important it is just to talk to them. Even when they are tiny, it's never too early to get into the habit of sharing books with them, and if you want some inspiration on where to start either buying books or borrowing from the library, check out our Buyer's Guide to Books for Babies.
The magic of your voice
Scientists believe that babies do connect with voices they have heard since they were in the womb, and certainly as soon as they are born, that sense of who their mother is becomes very strong. They also begin to recognise other familliar voices - daddy, big brother or sister, granny, and so on - and you will see that looking at them and talking makes a huge difference.
You don't have to be saying 'goo-goo, ga-ga' to them, although softer and higher voices have proved to be more appealing to babies. The gentle low-pitched burble of daddy's voice will be equally welcome, though, if the intonation is even and reassuring.
You can just chat about what is around you, the weather and so on, but you will probably find that stories, nursery rhymes and songs not only even out the tone of your voice, they also give you something much more enjoyable to draw on.
Pick your reading matter
When a baby is very small, you could read an entire fairy tale to her and she will gurgle away contentedly. But by the time she can sit up, other distractions may already come into play.
Unless it is nap or rest time, you can still snatch a quality five or ten mintes by stopping to read a baby book. These are usually only pictures or have a few words or a rhyme to prompt your conversation with your baby.
Or you can choose a nursery rhyme book…
Don't feel you are a failure because you can't remember many of the nursery rhymes of your childhood - almost every parent needs reminding! Instead, find a good collection to buy or get from the library and your memory will quickly be jogged.
Even before your child is one, you will find that some books or rhymes become favourites and a reaching hand, a grizzle or a squeal of delight will tell you which ones she wants to hear again and again.
Don't be afraid of repetition. It might get boring for you, but your child is becoming familiar with a pattern of words and sounds and that brings with it a reassuring pleasure of familiarity and a feeling of making progress, for your child.
Reading with a toddler
This is a vast subject in itself and we will cover it again in more detail. However, here, many of the same principles still apply: don't be afraid of repetition, talk about the pictures as much as the words on the page, and let your child be the guide to which stories or rhymes you're going to share.
It is important not to feel self-conscious about reading to your child. If you don't like doing it when anyone else is around, spend a few sessions together while no one else is at home. You will quickly find yourself talking confidently to your child in public once you've got used to what you find comfortable and what you know makes your child smile, laugh or respond to well.
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Although even a three-year-old will enjoy returning to books she loved as a baby, your toddler will, by the age of about 18 months, be ready for picture books with a little more going on in them - in the words AND illustrations. These don't have to be very sophisticated, but it does mean you can begin to move away from board and fabric books.
Try lift the flap books as small children love the surprise and activity aspects to these. Even when they are familiar with them, lifting a flap to reveal a snappy crocodile or a cuddly puppy will give them a thrill every time. However, don't expect your books at this stage to stay pristine - many children's books are really very cheap to buy (considering you will read them again and again) and will probably get torn a little or drawn all over!
The time and the place
Essentially, you can read to a child anytime, anywhere, so long as your child is in the right mood.
Don't force it, but offer a book and sit your child in your lap. Make sure you too are in the right frame of mind and are not going to grumpily or distractedly rush through a story your child knows you usually spend half an hour on together!
Keep some books in the lounge, in your changing bag (you can get fab tiny books to attach to your buggy, or smaller versions of great story books, often sold at the counter in children's bookshops), and in the bedroom.
Reading two or three stories after bath and before bed is a wonderful way of signalling a winding down to the day and gets into the regular book habit for both of you.
However, it can be just as valid if both you and your toddler like reading in the morning when the rest of the household is still asleep!
One of the things we love about the I'coo Pico iPod pushchair which is being launched in this country now, is that it comes with an iPod docking station.
This might sound a little weird, but it means you can not only play children's nursery rhymes to your child, but also record your own voice reading stories, to put onto your iPod and then dock in your buggy.
That way, even when you are on the go, and the traffic on the street is too noisy for you to have a proper conversation with your child, she can still hear your voice telling her familiar stories that you enjoy sharing.
Read on…
There are some wonderful resources to help you find out more about reading with your baby or child. You would be amazed how funky many children's libraries are nowadays and you will find one in your nearest local main library. Many even have storytelling or song sessions where the librarian picks some good stories and reads to the group.
Ladybird Books might be known to you for first reader books you had in Infants and Junior school, but they do some wonderful modern books for pre-school children, including nursery rhyme books, stories and factual first-learning books. Plus their website has some great advice on how to read and share books with your child, from babies up.
Bookstart also have a inspirational website full of advice and information on free events and activities around the country.
Happy reading!
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