The magic of reading to new borns (0-3 months)
From birth to three months your child is a babe in arms. Either he lies on his back on the bed or you have to carry him around. At this stage, will reading to him do any good? Why not? Your reading to him will be similar to your singing lullabies or talking to him. He will not understand immediately but hearing your voice will comfort him. He does respond- just as he did to your talk and banter when he was in your womb.
YOUR BABY ENJOYS YOUR BODY’S WARMTH: Your baby, whether you speak, sing, or read, will react to your body’s nearness . He is familiar with your voice and he is secure when he hears it. When he is in your arms or on your lap, he is near you. He knows the warmth and feel of your body. In this condition, he’ll absorb what you sing, say or read.
A child may not learn ABC or 1,2,3 from the time he is born; but in his parents’ laps he absorbs affection, love security and awareness of the world around him.
HE TAKES IN AND RESPONDS: Reading to your child as an infant has a beneficial effect on him. Your baby is on your lap, the book is in front where he can see it. At first when you are reading, he listens while he stares at your face. Then he starts to imitate your voice. He thinks he’s copying you exactly; but what comes out of his mouth is incoherent gibberish – but it sounds sweet.
RAISE YOUR CHILD ON A DIET OF BOOKS: If you are raising your child on a steady diet of good stories and if he is allowed to handle books; and he sees that you love reading and books, you’ll find that at later stages, he’ll enjoy reading and books.
GOOD QUALITIES ARE NOT TAUGHT SO MUCH AS IMPARTED: When he is read to as a baby, your child will develop a desire to read. So when he makes a habit of reading good books, he will develop the qualities of imagination, creativity and refinement.
WHAT TO READ?
1. Sing or read silly rhymes and songs. This encourages an early appreciation and understanding of language.
2. It is never too early to introduce your baby to books. Choose soft ones with high contrast patterns. 0-3 months is truly baby level. You’ll not encounter the ‘fidgetiness’ that comes as your child becomes a toddler.
3. Touch and feel books: These are topical-e.g.-TRUCKS- You can take your baby’s hands and let them touch and feel the surface of a page. You can say the names of the different types of trucks on each page as he feel the ridges on the tyres.
4. Read or abridge the stories according to your baby’s ability to be still.
5. Read out short stories or rhymes- since you are interested in getting to like books.
More interesting articles:
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6 steps to get your child to read
How to help your child speak more clearly
7 Story Telling ideas for parents
Hygiene tips for your baby
The pros & cons of a nanny/babysitter