| Lots of new parents hear about the importance | | | | When you read aloud to your child, they learn |
| of reading to their new babies, even those under | | | | about communication. They will also be introduced |
| six months old. You may be asking yourself why | | | | to such concepts as shapes, colors, letters and |
| this is so important? It is obvious that they don't | | | | numbers in a way that is fun for them. When |
| really understand what and why you are reading | | | | reading aloud to a child, it helps to develop good |
| to them, so why do it? It is thought that when | | | | listening skills, exercises their memory and |
| you read to your child it gives the same, if not | | | | teaches important vocabulary skills they will need |
| more, benefits as when you speak to your baby | | | | later on. It also gives them information to |
| and sing to her. She doesn't understand you then | | | | understand and learn about the world in which |
| either, but that doesn't stop you from talking to | | | | they live. |
| her and singing her songs. | | | | It may be hard to believe, but by the time a child |
| Your Baby's Developing Brain | | | | reaches the first birthday milestone, they usually |
| When babies are first born, their brain is capable | | | | will have learned all the sounds they need in order |
| of many things such as keeping her body running | | | | to speak in the language native to your household. |
| correctly, but the brain has not become fully | | | | The more you read to your child, the better they |
| developed and in fact the human brain does not | | | | will talk. When babies hear words, it helps them to |
| become fully developed until about age 25. The | | | | learn by imprinting the words on their brain. |
| more of your baby's senses you stimulate the | | | | When you are reading out loud to your child they |
| quicker her brain will develop. When you read | | | | will hear you using different inflections and |
| aloud to your child it is an activity you know is | | | | emotions. This helps to promote development in |
| stimulating many of her senses as she listens to | | | | communication as well as emotional development. |
| your words, touches the pages and sees the | | | | Reading with your baby encourages her to look, |
| colorful pictures. While she may not understand | | | | touch, and point as you provide her with answers |
| your words now, she will in time. She is more | | | | to questions you think she may have. This will |
| likely to understand your words sooner if you | | | | help her social development too. Your baby begins |
| read to her more often. | | | | her thinking skills when she tries to imitate the |
| Establishing a reading routine with your child early | | | | sounds she hears or words she hears often as |
| can help them out as they are preparing to go to | | | | well as recognizing the images that go with them. |
| school. They will be familiar with certain words and | | | | Maybe the most important benefit you and your |
| letters as well as colors and textures. There are | | | | child will get from reading together is a bond |
| many books for each age group that will help you | | | | between you. You will be connecting with your |
| maximize your baby's reading potential for the | | | | baby while baby is doing the things she likes best; |
| future. It is also an activity that you can share for | | | | being with you and hearing your voice speaking to |
| many, many years to come that will bring the | | | | her. When you read to your child, you are |
| both of you joy in learning new things and | | | | showing her at an early age that learning to read |
| enjoying using your imaginations. | | | | is a skill worth having. |
| Benefits to Reading Aloud | | | | |