Lots of new parents hear about the importance of reading to their new babies, even those under six months old. You may be asking yourself why this is so important? It is obvious that they don't really understand what and why you are reading to them, so why do it? It is thought that when you read to your child it gives the same, if not more, benefits as when you speak to your baby and sing to her.
The Importance of Reading to your Baby
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cindie_Thomas]Cindie Thomas
Lots of new parents hear about the importance of reading to their new babies, even those under six months old. You may be asking yourself why this is so important? It is obvious that they don't really understand what and why you are reading to them, so why do it? It is thought that when you read to your child it gives the same, if not more, benefits as when you speak to your baby and sing to her. She doesn't understand you then either, but that doesn't stop you from talking to her and singing her songs.
Your Baby's Developing Brain
When babies are first born, their brain is capable of many things such as keeping her body running correctly, but the brain has not become fully developed and in fact the human brain does not become fully developed until about age 25. The more of your baby's senses you stimulate the quicker her brain will develop. When you read aloud to your child it is an activity you know is stimulating many of her senses as she listens to your words, touches the pages and sees the colorful pictures. While she may not understand your words now, she will in time. She is more likely to understand your words sooner if you read to her more often.
Establishing a reading routine with your child early can help them out as they are preparing to go to school. They will be familiar with certain words and letters as well as colors and textures. There are many books for each age group that will help you maximize your baby's reading potential for the future. It is also an activity that you can share for many, many years to come that will bring the both of you joy in learning new things and enjoying using your imaginations.
Benefits to Reading Aloud
When you read aloud to your child, they learn about communication. They will also be introduced to such concepts as shapes, colors, letters and numbers in a way that is fun for them. When reading aloud to a child, it helps to develop good listening skills, exercises their memory and teaches important vocabulary skills they will need later on. It also gives them information to understand and learn about the world in which they live.
It may be hard to believe, but by the time a child reaches the first birthday milestone, they usually will have learned all the sounds they need in order to speak in the language native to your household. The more you read to your child, the better they will talk. When babies hear words, it helps them to learn by imprinting the words on their brain.
When you are reading out loud to your child they will hear you using different inflections and emotions. This helps to promote development in communication as well as emotional development. Reading with your baby encourages her to look, touch, and point as you provide her with answers to questions you think she may have. This will help her social development too. Your baby begins her thinking skills when she tries to imitate the sounds she hears or words she hears often as well as recognizing the images that go with them.
Maybe the most important benefit you and your child will get from reading together is a bond between you. You will be connecting with your baby while baby is doing the things she likes best; being with you and hearing your voice speaking to her. When you read to your child, you are showing her at an early age that learning to read is a skill worth having.
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baby reading, baby learning
