7 Great Reasons to Read to Babies and Toddlers
Reading is fun for all ages. And while many parents spend a lot of time reading to their babies they may wonder if there’s any real benefit to it. The answer from experts across the board is a resounding YES!
According to the Cleveland Clinic, reading to babies can boost vocabulary and reading skills for years to come. And reading to your baby from the start results in long-term benefits including cognitive, language and social skills. It’s not just important to read to young children – it is critical to their brain development and future success in school. And according to Reach Out & Read, 90% of brain development takes place from birth to three years of age.
7 Good Reasons to Read to Your Baby and Toddler
- It helps you bond with your baby.
- It boosts brain development.
- It supports basic speaking skills.
- It increases their vocabulary.
- It supports lasting literacy skills.
- It teaches them about the world around them.
- It helps to shape social and emotional development.
Okay, now that you know how important it is to read to young children you may be wondering what you should read to them? Always pick age appropriate books. For example, for babies select colorful, sturdy books that feature lots of pictures or illustrations. Board books are especially great starter books for babies and toddlers. Best of all, we have a ton of them at all of our Library locations. Picture books are also great for babies and toddlers, because the colorful illustrations help bring stories to life. Here are some great baby books.
Tips:
- Read everyday
- Read with emotion
- Pick sturdy books
- Plan a special reading time
- Ask questions and talk about feelings as the child grows
