Reading Aloud to Your Baby: A Parent's Guide for Newborns and Infants

Written by Barbie Jones, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Reading aloud to your baby is one of the best things you can do to support their early development. Even before your baby can understand words, hearing your voice helps them feel comforted, builds brain connections, and introduces them to language. Here is a simple guide on how and why to start reading to your little one. 

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Why Read Aloud to Your Baby? 

Bonding Time: Reading aloud is a special way to connect with your baby. Your voice is familiar and soothing, which helps them feel secure. 

Language Development: Hearing words helps your baby begin to recognize sounds and speech patterns. This sets the foundation for talking and understanding language later on. 

Cognitive Growth: Every time you read to your baby, you’re stimulating their brain and supporting memory, imagination, and listening skills. 

Building a Love of Books: Introducing books early makes reading a natural and enjoyable part of life. This positive association will encourage a love for reading as they grow. 

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Tips for Reading to Newborns and Infants 

Start Early: You can begin reading to your baby as early as birth! Even though they don’t understand words, they love the sound of your voice. 

Choose Simple Books: Books with bright colors, simple pictures, and rhythmic or repetitive language are great choices for infants. Board books are sturdy and easy for little hands to grab. 

Use Expression: Babies are fascinated by the sound of your voice, so don’t be afraid to use lots of expression, vary your pitch, and add sound effects. This keeps them engaged and makes the experience more fun. 

Short and Sweet: Newborns and young infants have short attention spans, so a few minutes at a time is all you need. You can build up the time as they grow. 

Make It Part of Your Routine: Find a consistent time each day to read to your baby—whether it’s during feedings, before naps, or bedtime. This creates a comforting routine they will come to expect and enjoy. 

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Books to Get You Started 

• "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown 

• "Peek-a-Who?" by Nina Laden 

• "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. 

• "Guess How Much I Love You" by Sam McBratney 

Reading aloud to your baby not only supports their growth but also creates precious moments between you and your child. It’s never too early to start! Whether you’re reading a few lines from a book or simply narrating your day, your baby will love hearing your voice and learning the wonders of language. 

Start small, have fun, and enjoy the journey of discovering stories together!