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| |    Literacy in Babies: Birth to Six Months by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. What does literacy mean for a baby? Of course, babies can't read or write. But they can begin to enjoy books with their parents, caregivers, and siblings. They can learn that books feel good to look at, hold, bang, and chew. These early discoveries help them associate books with pleasant, exciting things. Early introductions Some experts believe that reading books to new babies (or even while they're still in the womb) promotes literacy. I'm not sure whether or not this is so. Babies who are read to seem to enjoy the sound of the reader's voice and being held, if that's part of the reading ritual. Most parents who read to their babies before birth also read to them a lot afterward, and for many years. Those children do often grow up loving books, although I'm not sure how much the newborn or prenatal experience had to do with it. What reading to newborns does do is expose the babies to a lot of human speech. Listening as their parents talk to them is one very important way that babies begin to learn language. And strong language skills are among the best predictors of later reading and writing abilities. Human speech is also calming for babies, which is a good thing, too. If you want to read to your new baby, it doesn't much matter what you read. Choose something that interests you--gardening, sailboats, or a novel. Even better, choose something that you and your spouse or partner both enjoy, and take turns reading to each other while you cuddle with your new baby. Starting to pay attention If you hold a high-contrast (black-and-white) picture about 12 inches away from a young infant's eyes, the infant will probably look at it with interest. We know that babies are interested because their heart rates go up, and their body movements lessen-what developmentalists call an "orienting response." This might last for several seconds. By four months of age, your baby's attention is likely to be longer, up to a minute or more. By six months, he's likely to become quite excited by a new, brightly colored book. He might reach for it, pat at it, and growl. He might want to hold it, wave it, bang it, and chew on it. He might "talk" in an excited way. Most six-month-old babies think books are really great. A variety of materials Five to six months is a good time to make enjoying books together a regular part of your day. Pick board books with simple, bright pictures. Photos of other babies are a favorite. Pick some simple poetry that rhymes, and that you like. Nursery rhymes are perfect for this. If your baby likes it (and many do), read your own grownup book out loud, stopping frequently to talk with your baby. Babies this age don't understand the words, but they like the sounds, and they do learn to connect books with your love-which is exactly what you want them to learn! Click here to join the discussion on Reading and Your Child
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