One of the best things we can do for our children is read to them, no matter how young they are.  In the first five years of life children learn faster than they ever will again.  Reading to babies as early as possible gives them a head start.

Why Read to Babies?

• Reading is an opportunity to cuddle up and share

• Babies love hearing rhymes well before 6 months.  It doesn't matter if they don't understand the words - it's the rhythms and sounds of the language that they respond to and will begin to mimic as they begin to make their own sounds

• Early book experience is proven to have a powerful impact on literacy. Research shows not only do children have a head start when they begin school, they maintain that lead as primary education continues

• Reading develops the ability to focus, listen and concentrate for extended periods of time

• The sooner you read to your child, the sooner they will want to read for themselves

Cuddle up, keep your voice lively, make finger plays, rhymes and songs part of the experience, choose nursery rhymes and poetry to increase exposure to different kinds of language, don't read too fast or turn the pages too quickly, give your baby time to focus on the pictures, choose books with rhythm and repetition, take a book with you when you go out and read when you are waiting

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