Read it, Baby!

0-3 months: Right now, babies are picking up the rhythms and sounds of language and absorbing so much! You don’t need to just read baby books at this age, as newborn babies are getting more from the rhythm and hearing you speak. Consider reading short books aloud or even reading news articles or magazines aloud to your baby. Did you know that the library has a HUGE collection of magazines on our Libby app? (https://www.citruslibraries.org/books-media/ebooks/)  You won’t have to worry about tearing pages and they are easy to read on a phone or tablet when you are awake in the middle of the night!

3-5 months: Your baby can recognize faces! You may have noticed that your baby is fascinated by looking at his or her little face in a mirror. Have you tried reading the Look Baby! board books by Margaret Miller? Babies are fascinated by seeing other babies in these books, and as you read your baby will pick up on print awareness, meaning they will learn how books work – that pages turn and that letters mean things. The board book section of your library can be a great resource for finding other fun books for your little reader.

6-12 months: You can reread favorite books and find new ones too! Your baby is learning to babble and coo, and each word that your baby hears read aloud will expand their vocabulary and help them learn and be ready for the world. The Peek A Boo Baby books are fun, as is just exploring the picture book section. Visit a library for story time (https://www.citruslibraries.org/programs-events/early-childhood-literacy/) to meet other parents and caregivers for some fun ways to make reading exciting for your child.

At any age, the library is here with materials and programs for you. Visit our website at www.citruslibraries.org or any of our locations for more information.