HINTS FOR READING TO INFANTS

"When you cultivate affection for the books you read, every story you share can be a bit of a love story" (Codell, 11).

Tips for reading to infants are simple, and to many of us, seem natural. The Vermont Center for the book (qtd in McFann) lists the following recommendations:

• Find a time when both the reader and baby are relaxed.
• Choose a book the reader likes.
• Hold the book so the baby can see the pictures.
• Point to the key elements in the pictures while reading.
• Let the story be a springboard to talk about the baby's own life.
• Be silly! Let the story come alive with funny voices and sound effects.

In the book How to Get Your Child to Love Reading, by Esme Raji Codell, parents are reminded that "[w]hen sharing books with infants, one of the goals is looking, not reading. Talk about the pictures. Name objects and colors; count repeated images." I believe this is very useful, but at other times this can interrupt the flow of the story. I think it entirely depends on the type of story you are choosing. I've read The Owl and the Pussycat through without commenting, and my children seemed to love it. A book like Toby! by Cyndy Szekeres, however, had the boys commenting about the toys on each page. I think that we should remember that the suggestions are just that--suggestions. There should not be hard and fast rules, but rather parents should be encouraged to trust their instincts.

Codell recommends "try[ing] to find books with musical qualities, and rhythms in the language. Mother Goose rhymes are always marvelous. Again, your baby will join in when the time comes" (43). I agree that musical qualities and rhythm are very appealing to babies. This quality also makes them fun to read aloud.

Question
(1) What suggestions would you give to a new parent about reading to their baby?