My friend and author, Kristen Hogrefe Parnell, had a little boy last year, and one of the many things we talk about as fellow mamas is kids books—they’re so important for child development and there’s just so much to love about them!
When Kristen asked me to share another blog post on her site, I decided to pull together a list of daily times, or opportunities, you can take to read to your little one. Do you have one to add to the list?
As an author and avid reader, I know the power of books. Books can tell us about ourselves and the world we live in, or they can transport us to another place and time. Before my son Gordon was even born, I was reading stories to him, and we haven’t stopped since.
If you’re wondering when to start the story time tradition with your little one, researchers have concluded that the earlier the better. Here are some benefits your baby receives when you read to him out loud:
1) He hears different emotions and expressive sounds, which supports his social and emotional development.
2) It encourages him to look, point, touch, and answer questions, helping his social development and thinking skills.
3) His language skills improve when he begins to copy sounds, recognize pictures, and learn new words.
4) He begins to associate the happiness of story time with books, which can help him develop his own love of reading.
So the question isn’t whether you should read to your baby but when can you find the time in your busy schedule? Here are ten opportunities you can seize to read to your little one.
Click here to finish reading my article on Kristen’s website.
So true! Thank you, Ashley. I have a friend who received her doctorate in learning how to teach reading. When I asked what she learned, she said “read to a child early and often“. I’ll never forget it.
What a good message, Jo Anne! Thanks for sharing.