Reading to your baby

Have you ever wondered why some children seem to perform better than others of the same age group when it comes to matters academic? There are also babies/ toddlers who seem to grasp things easily when it comes to talking/ language development. Well, what most parents and caregivers never realize is that they have a really great part to play when it comes to their children’s cognitive and language development. Most of the children who seem to grasp things well, speak earlier than others and perform better academically in life, are usually stimulated from an early age. Their very own parents and caregivers begin coaching them, academically, from a very early age, as early as when they are born. A great part of stimulating babies cognitively from an early age involves reading to them. This helps them develop learn how to speak and serves them well academically, later on in life.  According to a study done at Brown University School of Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island, 18- to 25-month-olds whose parents said they had been reading to them regularly for a year could say and understand more words than those whose parents hadn't. It's hard to prove whether such advantages last, but plenty of parents are convinced that early exposure to books makes a long-term difference, both boosting children's language abilities and making them more eager to learn how to read.

The question that most parents ask is, “when should we start reading to babies?” Well, the answer is as simple as, as soon as they are born. Experts suggest that babies recognize their mother's voice in the womb and they advise that mothers can make reading aloud a habit while they're still pregnant. Once a baby arrives, reading to him/ her is highly encouraged from the very start. A baby cannot understand adults’ words, but hearing their voice stimulates an interest in sounds and helps him/her develop listening skills.

Reading together with babies is a great opportunity for cuddling and bonding. By developing a regular reading routine from the start, books become a natural part of your child's day — one that (s) he’ll associate with fun.

Reading to your baby helps build vocabulary, stimulates imagination, and improves communication skills. The more you speak to your child from the get-go, the better it is for her growth and development.

Reading to your baby introduces her to the concepts of stories, numbers, letters, colors, and shapes, and gives her information about the world around her. It also builds memory and vocabulary skills. By the time she's a year old, your baby has already learned all the sounds she needs to speak her native language. The more words she hears, the better she'll be able to talk.

So what should you read to your infant?

During the first few months, an infant mostly picks up on the rhythm of language — rather than the content — as (s)he hears one speak. Repetition helps the baby build language skills. Variance in the pitch of your voice and use of different voices for different characters making reading interesting. Babies at this age are fascinated by pictures with bright colors and sharp contrast- picture books and board books are the best at this stage.

The most important thing is that your baby is making a connection between the things he loves the most — your closeness and your voice — and books. This shows him that reading is enjoyable and important.

Best Books for an older baby

According to experts from the Baby Centre in the USA, books with colorful drawings and catchy phrases are sure to please. Some children prefer books with photographs, while others like books with built-in activities — images hidden under flaps or behind sliding partitions, for example. Your baby may also enjoy the singsong rhythm and playful wording of nursery rhymes. They're easy to remember, so you can chant them during daily routines.

General Benefits of Reading to Your Baby
1.	Promote Listening Skills
2.	Increase the Number of Vocabulary Words Babies Hear
3.	Develop Attention Span and Memory
4.	Help Babies Learn Uncommon words
5.	Help Babies Learn to Understand the Meanings of Words
6.	Help Babies Learn Concepts about Print
7.	Help Babies learn to Get Information from Illustrations
8.	Promote Bonding and Calmness for Both Baby and Parent
9.	Stimulate the Imagination and All the Senses
10.	Instill the Love of Books and Learning

Adapted From:

http://www.readtoyourbaby.com/read_tenbenefits.html

http://www.parents.com/baby/development/intellectual/age-by-age-guide-to-reading-to-your-baby/