By Lori Calabrese
Encouraging your child to explore books is essential in developing his literacy skills and should begin as early as birth (some say to even read to your baby while he is still in the womb). But early literacy does not mean teaching reading to infants and toddlers. Reading, writing and language evolve from a number of earlier, age-appropriate skills, such as physically manipulating or handling books; looking at and recognizing books; comprehending pictures and a story; and interacting with books verbally. So what books are suitable for infants?
Cloth Books:
Cloth books, which are printed on cloth, are soft and strong and can be thrown in the washing machine.
Board Books:
Babies should also have sturdy books to look at, touch and hold. Board books are appropriate for babies because the pages are easy for very young children to turn. During reading time, having your child turn the pages helps him feel like he has some control and it promotes a sense that he is reading along with you. Babies love to explore and since board books are made from heavy cardboard with a plastic coating, they can stand hard wear and tear by babies who throw them, crawl over them, and chew them. Board books can also be wiped clean.
Interactive Books:
Since babies love to explore, books that allow them to do just that are a fantastic tool to introduce babies to the world of reading. Look for books with handles, holes, textures, or lift the flaps. Touch-and-feel books invite your child to explore them with his fingers and learn about different textures and shapes. Babies love lift the flap books, but, unfortunately, they usually don’t hold up well under rough treatment.
Concept-Oriented Books:
Choose books with large pictures or bright and bold illustrations set against a contrasting background. Look for books that have simple pictures, one per page. Rather than containing a story, board books are almost entirely concept oriented with topics such as the alphabet, animals, colors, numbers, opposites, shapes, and textures.
Interesting Language Books:
It’s important for infants to hear language. That’s why it’s important to read favorite books again and again. You might get tired of reading the same books, but children love hearing the same stories again. And it helps them learn to read by hearing familiar words and seeing what they look like in print. Choose books with interesting language, rhythm, and sounds such as books with rhymes, songs, and poetry. Books with predictable patterns and repeated language such as those that retell traditional nursery rhymes or songs are also recommended.
As your baby grows older, keep books on low shelves or in baskets where he can see them and get them himself. You’ll find he may even “pretend“ to read a book that he has heard many times. As your child starts to explore books, support his progress by watching, listening and providing a number of age-appropriate books.
Recommended reading:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Guess How Much I Love You
The Going-To-Bed Book
Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! (Boynton on Board)
Moo Baa La La La
Good Night Gorilla Gift Box
Time for Bed
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You : Dr. Seuss’s Book of Wonderful Noises (Bright and Early Board Books)
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Bright & Early Board Books(TM))
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About the Author: Lori Calabrese is the award-winning children’s author of The Bug that Plagued the Entire Third Grade. To learn more about Lori and her books, please visit www.loricalabrese.com
