The Benefits of Reading to Newborns and Infants
Wondering whether there is any benefit to reading to your newborn or young infant? Introducing books at an early age offers a myriad of benefits that go beyond just preparing them for school. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading regularly with young children stimulates optimal patterns of brain development and strengthens parent-child relationships at a critical time in child development, which, in turn, builds language, literacy, and social-emotional skills that last a lifetime (Council on Early Childhood, High & Klass, 2014).
Cognitive Development
While your newborn isn’t going to fully grasp the stories you are reading to them, hearing words helps stimulate brain development and promote the formation of neural connections. The good news is, this means you don’t need to stick to books designed for newborns and infants. Have a favorite book you’ve been dying to read? Now is a great time to read it out loud to your baby.
Bonding Time
Reading to your newborn is a perfect opportunity for bonding. Babies are comforted by being snuggled up close to you and hearing the sound of your voice. This bonding time helps babies feel safe and secure. Studies have shown that these interactions can reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being for both the parent and the baby.
Sensory Development and Visual Stimulation
When selecting books for your baby to look at, keep in mind that they have limited vision and are drawn to high contrast images. High-contrast books help babies focus, improving their visual tracking skills. Babies are also drawn to faces. Selecting books with a variety of facial expressions can help them begin to recognize emotions and expressions.
Language Development
Exposure to a rich vocabulary through reading is one of the best ways to enhance language skills in infants. It is helpful for babies to hear the variation in language, tone, and structure. The more words your baby hears, the better prepared they will be to understand and use language themselves.
Favorite Books for Babies
While you can read your favorite books and articles to your baby, you’ll also want to mix in some baby books. There are so many awesome books for babies, but below you will find a few of my favorites:
"Camping 1 2 3!: A Nutty Numbers Book" by Nancy Rose - As a fan of camping, I love how this book uses real photographs of squirrels with camping props to help practice counting.
"The Going to Bed Book" by Sandra Boynton - You can’t go wrong with any of Sandra Boynton’s series of children’s books, but this classic is one of my favorites.
"Global Babies Playtime" by Maya Ajmera - A beautiful book featuring babies playing around the world.
"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle - This classic with rhythmic text introduces your little one to different animals and colors.
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle - A simple, repetitive story with colorful images. Follow a caterpillar’s journey to becoming a butterfly.
"The Babies and Doggies Book" by John Schindel - A rhyming board book with wonderful photos of young children and doggies.
Incorporating Reading into Daily Routines
In addition to incorporating books into my routine prior to naps or bedtime, I like to read to little ones when I’m holding them upright after a feed or during tummy time. Don’t forget, you can mix it up and read baby books or your own books out loud. Working as a nanny and Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), many of my daytime charges have learned about the latest in newborn care and safety or parenting trends while in my care! What is important is that your baby is hearing your voice and building those language skills.
Conclusion
Reading to your newborn aids their cognitive, emotional, and language development. Remember, it is never too early to start developing a love of books and reading! So grab a book, snuggle up, and enjoy this precious time together!
Additional Resources
Check out these resources related to literacy and young children:
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Check to see if you qualify for a free book for your child, sent to your home every month.