Experience Baby Curriculum encourages daily reading to baby with a new board each month and five approaches to create a unique experience with each book.
Create a routine of reading and focus on the bonding experience of holding a child and exploring books and stories. From these daily reading experiences, children will learn basic sounds and concepts that serve as building blocks for literacy and cognitive development.
Why is reading to baby important for their development?
Even if a baby doesn’t understand words yet, when they listen to a parent or caregiver’s voice, it helps them start recognizing language patterns, tones, and rhythms. Studies show that babies we are read to at an early age, develop stronger language and lsitening skills which supoprts their vocabulary and reading skills later when they get older. In addition, the physical closeness supports bonding and makes babies feel secure which builds trust and emotional well-being.
At what age should I start reading to my baby, and how often?
Begin reading to your baby right from birth! Babies benefit from hearing your voice even in the earliest weeks, as it helps them become familiar with the sounds of language. For newborns, you might begin with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase as your baby grows and becomes more attentive. By 6 months, many babies start showing interest in colorful images and respond to rhythms and rhymes, so aim for 10–15 minutes a day or a few short reading sessions spread throughout the day.
What types of books or activities are best for reading to my baby?
Books with simple, bold pictures, high-contrast colors, and rhyming or rhythmic text are great for babies. Board books with textures, flaps, and mirrors keep babies engaged and let them explore with touch as well as sight and sound. Look for stories that are repetitive and have familiar topics, like animals or bedtime routines, which can be soothing and fun for young babies. As they grow, interactive books that encourage pointing, clapping, or repeating sounds can also support engagement and language skills.
How should I read to my baby?
Here are some helpful tips to make reading time enjoyable and engaging for you and your baby:
Use an Animated Voice and Facial Expressions
Babies respond well to expressive voices and big facial expressions. Use different tones for different characters, make animal sounds, and emphasize rhyming words or repetitive phrases. This helps keep their attention and makes reading time feel fun and engaging.
Let Baby Interact with the Book
Encourage your baby to touch and explore the book. Board books or cloth books with textures, flaps, and mirrors are perfect for this. Point to the pictures, help them turn the pages, or let them try it themselves. This not only makes reading interactive but also builds fine motor skills.
Follow Baby’s Lead
Babies may lose interest quickly or want to spend extra time on one page. It’s okay to go with their pace—there’s no rush! You can skip pages, talk about just one picture, or go back and forth as your baby’s attention allows.
Incorporate Rhymes and Repetition
Babies love rhythm and repetition because it helps them anticipate and recognize sounds. Books with rhyming text or repetitive phrases are engaging and help build early literacy skills.
Point and Name Objects
Point to pictures in the book and name them. For example, “Look! A dog! Woof woof!” Over time, your baby will start to connect these words with objects, supporting their language development.
Keep It Short and Frequent
Reading doesn’t have to be long. For young babies, a few minutes at a time, several times a day, is ideal. As they grow and become more engaged, reading sessions can be extended. Short and frequent interactions help keep reading enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
Create a Cozy Reading Routine
Establishing a routine, like reading before naps or bedtime, helps your baby look forward to reading time and can make the experience more comforting and relaxing for both of you.
5 Ways to Read with Baby
Experience Curriculum’s “Read with Me” list features five different ways to read with baby. From voices and sound effects to props and interaction, Experience Early Learning provides a variety of ways to engage and stimulate.
With this guidance, even new teachers can purposely and effectively interact with babies during storytime to develop literacy and language skills.
Five ways to read with baby include:
- Read with Expression
- Point to Pictures
- Play with Sounds
- Child Holds It
- Include a Prop
The chart below describes each reading strategy:
📚 READ Phonological Awareness Activities for Baby
Download the Experience Baby Book List
Get reading to baby with our exclusive Experience Baby book list for the upcoming school year. Collect them all!
Support Early Literacy With Experience Baby Infant Curriculum
Support relationship-based play and discovery with Experience Baby Curriculum:
- Nurture warm and caring emotional connections with the child that build trust and security.
- Offer play opportunities that invite children to engage, explore and discover their environment through everyday routines.
- Partner with families and share reflections on each child’s unique development.
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