Homegrown Readers cover Educators tell us that children need to hear five hundred books read aloud to them before entering kindergarten. While listening to stories, children pick up important “book knowledge.” They’ll also learn that their parents love books and reading. (which makes reading cool)

Medical professionals believe that  children can begin to enjoy language and music even before they’re born, so the earlier they hear stories, the better. Begin reading stories to your babies as soon as they’re born. Choose sturdy board books or washable fabric books. Babies love bright colors and simple pictures on solid backgrounds. They respond well to the rhythms of simple rhymes and they love repetition. Books with textures are also favorites.

Babies and toddlers love books about the things familiar to them–toys, clothes, bath time, animals. Over time they’ll begin to recognize the emotions of characters, the action of a story and lessons learned. This will set the stage for later development of reading comprehension skills.

Quality books for your baby are the building blocks of future literacy. Your time spent reading aloud to your baby will be rewarded many times over when it comes time for your child to enter school.

You may enjoy going to the website of the American Library Association (www.ala.org) and find their book list for babies entitled Born to Read.