Sharing books – Baby

Babies enjoy books with clear pictures and photos as well as textures to feel.

Did you know?

Reading books to babies from birth is a great bonding activity and introduces your child to language.

Board books are ideal for babies. They are durable, smaller for travel and the pages are easier to turn.

Book sharing promotes joint attention with both baby and adult engaged in the same book. Sitting so you can see baby’s face and the book means you can talk about what baby is focused on the page.

Add language

Providing the words that go with what your baby is looking at helps you to follow their interests and provide the matching language.

Other development

Simple pictures help your baby link real world objects to images on the page. This helps baby learn that pictures are symbols of real things. Babies first recognise photographs, then simple clear illustrations. This is the start of literacy!

Variations

You could visit your local library’s rhyme or story time sessions. Check with your local council for session times.

Sometimes babies will enjoy time alone looking through books with simple clear pictures.

Across the ages

All the activities listed on our “Play Ideas” page can be applied across different age groups. Check out sharing books for toddlers, children and playgroups.

Activities listed under “baby” are suitable for children under 12 months. This age is largely about babies exploring their own bodies and the world around them from the safety of a close relationship with their caregiver.