It can last less than a minute, but makes a big difference

We often hear that reading is important down the line, but why exactly should I read to my baby right now? How long should it last? What if my baby doesn’t seem interested? What are the best books for this age?

Here are some considerations for reading time with your baby:

Read to your baby now

• Most child development professionals believe that children who are regularly exposed to language and books in early infancy develop higher IQs and more language fluency.
• Books offer ways to expose your baby to new vocabulary words you might not commonly use, rhyming and rhythm, and different language structures than they are exposed to in everyday conversation.
• Reading builds positive associations: reading time = cozy time. Creating a habit of reading to your baby helps them learn to love books, because they love being close to you and hearing your voice.

What to expect from reading at this age

• Reading can last for less than a minute.
• Babies generally take an interest in board books sometime between 6 and 9 months. Your baby may or may not show an interest in books at first. Keep reading each day even if they don’t seem to be interested yet.
• Try reading face-to-face with your baby supported by your crossed leg, so they can see your face while you read.
• Your baby will probably not want to read the book beginning to end. Flip around to follow their interest.
• Your baby might prefer that you stop reading so they can chew on the book instead. It’s all good—they’re still learning about books through their mouth 😉

Best books for babies and toddlers

Lovevery board books are developed to help children make sense of their own experiences.

These stories focus on big moments in your child’s life and include photographs of people and objects they’re interested in right now.

For more books we love, read ‘A book list for Black History Month‘ by Nicole Stamp.

Classics and new favorites: babies

‘Mother Goose’ by Mary Engelbreit

‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?’ by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle

‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle

‘Goodnight Moon’ by Margaret Wise Brown

‘Peek-A-Who?’ By Nina Laden

‘Where is Baby’s Belly Button?’ By Karen Katz

‘Freight Train’ by Donald Crews

‘Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes’ by Mem Fox

‘Pat the Bunny’ by Dorothy Kunhardt

‘Go, Dog. Go!’ by P.D. Eastman

‘Dear Zoo’ by Rod Campbell

‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

‘Ten in the Bed’ Jane Cabrera

‘The Mitten’ by Jan Brett

‘Owl Babies’ by Martin Waddell

‘Whose Toes are Those?’ By Jabari Asim

‘ABC’ by Alison Jay

‘The Snowy Day’ by Ezra Jack Keats

‘Corduroy’ by Don Freeman

‘Everywhere Babies’ by Susan Meyers

Classics and new favorites: toddlers

‘The Hat’ by Jan Brett

‘The Turnip’ by Jan Brett

‘All the World’ by Liz Garton Scanlon

‘Nursery Tales’ by Mary Engelbreit

‘This is Not My Hat’ by Jon Klassen

‘I Want My Hat Back’ by Jon Klassen

‘We Found a Hat’ by Jon Klassen

‘Kitten’s First Full Moon’ by Kevin Henkes

Llama Llama Collection by Anna Dewdney

‘So Much!’ By Trish Cooke

‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton

‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’ by Kadir Nelson

‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson

‘The Wheels on the Bus’ by Jane Cabrera

‘No David!’ By David Shannon

‘Fred and Ted Go Camping’ by Peter Eastman

‘Everyone Poops’ by Taro Gomi

‘A Good Day’ by Kevin Henkes