When to Start Reading to Your Baby

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Although you can start reading to your baby as soon as three months, at this age the activity has more benefit for you than for him.  If your baby enjoys being nestled in your arms and hearing your voice, then by all means read to him.  Keep the reading time brief (a few minutes at most), and be animated as you talk.  If he gets fussy, stop and try another day.

Some parents successfully introduce books when their child is 7 or 8 months old.  But babies love to explore objects with their hands and to move about as much as they can.  You may find that story time involves more activities than quiet listening:  touching books, attempting to chew the corner of the cover, and simply transferring a small book from hand to hand.  Follow your baby’s lead.  Listening comes in time.

By 9 or 10 months, most babies are really ready to enjoy story time.  The need to put everything in their mouth is decreasing, and their ability to comprehend words is markedly increasing.  Studies have shown that by one year of age, babies understand an average of 20 words.  Reading to your youngster is a nice way to help comprehension along.  Don’t be discouraged if he won’t sit still for a story at this age.  He is likely on the verge of crawling, cruising, or walking, and his interest in getting around may overpower his interest in books.  If he crawls out of your lap as soon as you open one, try another time.  One of these days, as you hold him in your lap and read a story, he’ll surprise you with rapt attention.