Reading to Your Baby : Techniques That Bring Language Alive for Your Little Ones

Highlighting the benefits of reading to children from an early age, this is the perfect guide to help parents get the most out of reading to their young children

Reading has a vital place in a baby's development as it's essential for building his or her communication and literacy skills. It's also highly pleasurable for parent and baby, enabling bonding, the happy use of time spent together, and having fun with words. This guide to reading to babies and very young children advises parents on the types of books or stories to use with their children—starting with picture books and moving through to classic fairy tales to those that suit a child’s interests. It explains how to spot if a baby is connecting with a story, and ways to encourage involvement in a tale. The book also examines storytelling techniques, such as repetition, use of voice and facial expression, and the assistance of a reading puppet. There are sections on how to tell the perfect bedtime tale, storytelling games for parties, and making up your own stories.