Read to Baby

Select books made from cardboard, cloth, or plastic.

Babies especially like books that have special parts to feel, like pretend fur or felt.

It’s okay if your baby likes chewing on the books as much as looking at the pictures. The goal is to get your baby to love books.

Select books with large, colorful pictures of children or animals.

Babies love books with silly rhymes.

Point to pictures and name things.

Let your baby turn the pages by holding onto all but the next page.

Stop reading when your baby seems bored. Remember babies have a short attention span.

Activities to teach words

Touch and name

Touch your baby’s nose and say, “Here’s your nose!” Also do the same thing with baby’s eyes, ear, fingers, toes, etc.

When the baby touches your ear, say “That’s daddy’s ear.”Then touch your baby’s ear and say, “Here is (Baby’s Name) ear!”

When your baby touches things. Name them.

Repeating sounds

Listen for your baby’s sounds.

Repeat the sounds back to your baby, letting them see your face as you speak.

Pause and give your baby a chance to react. They may even try to repeat the sound again!