It’s never too early to begin reading with your baby. When you read together, you help your baby to learn and to love books! Babies love to look at and touch shapes and high-contrast objects in their environments, and simple soft and board books are a good way to start introducing new things to your baby.
- comfortable place to sit
- board book or soft book with simple pictures such as:
Step 1: Find a comfy spot to sit with your baby in your lap.
Step 2: With your baby cuddled closely to you, hold a book with clear, simple and colorful pictures so that you can both see.
Step 3: Touch simple pictures and talk softly as you label and talk about the objects in the book. For example:
Look! A bunny! Give your baby a moment to focus on the object before you begin to talk about it.
This bunny feels soft on my hand and he hop hop hops around the grass!
Step 4: Follow your baby’s gaze and movement. She'll let you know when she’s ready to move on.
Step 5: Allow your baby to touch and explore the book as you read together.
