A house is not a home unless it

contains food and fire for the mind

as well as the body. -Margaret Fuller

Sharing books with your baby

Sharing books is a wonderful way to help your child learn to talk, and it’s the ideal opportunity to share a cuddle at the same time.

• Find a quiet place. Turn off the TV or radio so there are no distractions.

• As well as reading the story, talk about the pictures. If there’s a picture of a dog, talk about a dog that you know.

• Give your child time to respond to your chatter.

• Don't put any pressure on your child to name the pictures, but if she copies your words, praise her and say the words again for her.

• Visit your library for different books – it’s free to join. Don’t worry if books get damaged; libraries understand that this sometimes happens.

• Don’t read for too long. Young children get bored quickly so little and often is best.

• Let other grown-ups – grandparents, carers and older brothers and sisters – join in too.

• It’s good to share favourite books again and again. Repetition helps children to understand and remember the language they hear.

• Remember, you’re not teaching your child to read. You learn to talk a long time before you learn to read, and book sharing is a wonderful way to help your child’s language development.

 

Quick tips may be photocopied. For more information visit www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk

Talk To Your Baby is an initiative of the National Literacy Trust.

© Posy Simmonds

 

To see this information in its entirety go to

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyourbaby/booksenglish.pdf