"Children are made readers in the laps of their parents” - Emilie Buchwald
A lot of new parents wonder when they can start reading to their baby. During the early baby stages, parents may think they aren't getting anything from story-time. However, the benefits of reading to your child go far beyond the written words.
You should start reading to your child as a newborn! As soon as you have started to get to know your baby and gotten into a rhythm with feedings you can start reading.
Read anytime of the day to bond with your baby, but an ideal time is prior to sleep. Story-time fits into that pre-nap or bedtime routine right after changing and feeding your baby. Once you get this routine down pat, your baby’s brain will pair story-time with sleep and have an easier time settling down.
When getting a child ready for sleep, there are 3 key components: closing window shades, turning on the sound machine, and READING! When feedings and diapers disappear and getting down for a nap needs to happen fast, these 3 things last well into their elementary school years. If done consistently every time your child gets ready for bed, their brain will be automatically cued for sleep when the room darkens, the sound machine goes on, and a book is pulled out.
While getting ready for bed at night can take 45 mins and involve a feeding, bath and change into pajamas, a shortened version can still happen at nap. Choose 1 favorite, shorter book and wipe down or quick change which will help reduce your routine to 15 minutes. Even with an abbreviated routine, if you stick to those 3 key components (shades, sound machine, and reading) EVERY SINGLE TIME, your child will connect the cues for sleep.
3 key components: closing window shades, turning on the sound machine, and reading!
Now I bet you're asking, "what books do I read to my 6 week old?". The best types of books to read early on are short, rhyming stories. The rhythm of a parent’s voice hitting similar sounds on repeat is soothing to a child. It’s also the very first building blocks to language when they start to talk at about a year old. Sticking with short stories is also realistic for tired parents.
Another tip is to read the same rotation of books. Children love to know what to expect and find comfort in knowing exactly what’s next. This is why they ask for the same book or TV show over and over again. Meet this need early on by reading the same rotation of books, because once again these familiar sounds and rhythms will bring them comfort or ready them for sleep.
Rhyming books on repeat to build familiarity and provide comfort.
Some of my favorite books for infants are Goodnight Moon, Dear Zoo, Little Blue Truck, Big Red Barn, Brown Bear Brown Bear, and Doggies. Pick 3-4 and keep them on hand near a cozy spot where you feed your baby or get ready for bed. Soon enough your newborn will open their eyes and delight in the pictures of the sounds that are already familiar to them! Reading with your children is such an important stage in bonding, developing language, and creating a life long love for learning and books!
The Blueprint: It’s never too early to read and establish a routine for sleep.
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