WHEN SHOULD BABIES START READING?
WHEN AND HOW SHOULD I INTRODUCE MY BABY TO THE BOOK?
The American Pediatric Association recommends that babies be introduced to the book from 6 months old. However, many experts recommend reading to your child from the womb. I am one of those who support the second view.
During your pregnancy and your baby’s 0-6 months period, you can read to your baby for 5-10 minutes every day.
You can do this reading time in the morning after your baby sleeps and feeds (as their senses are most clear in the morning) or before bedtime in the evening. Again, an hour of reading a book lasting 5-10 minutes will be enough for the beginning.
The important thing in the first months is to make a habit of your calm tone while reading, and the reading time in your daily routine.
If you include reading in your sleep routine from infancy, you can then read together when your child grows up. As your baby grows, his interest in books will increase. If we think that we continue the habits we acquired when we were little, we will take the first steps towards raising an individual who reads a book before going to bed in the evening.
When you start introducing your baby to toys, you can introduce them to books. Soft books (they make a noise as they shake and squeeze the pages) can be your baby’s first books. Bath books made of water-resistant materials will also contribute to hours of fun in the bathroom.
When your baby starts to move and play with toys, be sure to add a few books to the box/basket/shelf where you put the toys. Thus, he will be able to access the toy and the book at the same time, and you will give the book the opportunity to show the interest he has shown in the toy, he does not have to choose one over the other. If the books are within the reach of your child, they can take the books and look at them whenever they feel like it. They can spend time with the book. Isn’t that what we want in the long run anyway?