The research is clear – talking and reading to babies and children is impactful, in a multitude of ways. Reading with children helps them cognitively – it helps them increase their vocabulary, develop pre-reading skills, such as book and print awareness (i.e. letter directionality and that we read from left to right) and develop their conceptual awareness.
But reading to children goes beyond teaching them how to read. When the right books are chosen or adapted, reading can help children develop their fine and gross motor skills. It also promotes bonding and attachment through reciprocal interactions and physical closeness – those cuddles that often come along with story time, help children and parents alike with the boost of oxytocin.
Essentially, the aim of early reading is not to focus on directly teaching your child to read or making it a chore. Rather by developing an awareness and love of books, through quality interactions, your baby will be set up for reading success.
With that said, unless you have previous experience or knowledge of child development and literacy, it can be hard to navigate the vast world of children’s literature and understand the age appropriateness of books.
Thankfully, books are items that are often gifted, handed-down or easily available at libraries so most families will have books that tackle a range of literacy skills, physical and socio-emotional needs.
Here are 8 categories of books, including recommended titles, to add to your library. And please take note - when reading with your baby and young child, board books are going to be your friend – they’re durable during those teething and destructive, tearing phases!
Book type: Books with Contrasting Colours
Age: 0-3 months
What this helps with: Newborns have limited eyesight (roughly 6-8 inches in front of them), and will only be able to focus on nearby objects.
It’s been shown that babies first see black, white and shades of grey. It’s also been shown that red is one of the first colours that babies will see, and the contrast of black, white and grey, amongst red can help them see it better.
Watch this video to see how your baby’s eyesight changes over the first year.
Recommended titles:
Black and White by Tana Hoban
Art Cards for Baby by Wee Gallery
Book type: Sensory Books
Age: 0-6 months +
What this helps with:
Babies learn by exploring. Sensory exploration helps children develop their understanding of the world, as well as their fine and gross motor skills. Sensory books are books that your baby will want to touch, reach and crawl for.
Recommended titles: Any book that is soft, squishy, or noisy.
Tails by Matthew Van Fleet
Note: Beware these are best looked at under supervision, as they can be delicate!
DK Touch and Feel books
Bright Baby Touch and Feel by Robert Priddy
My First I See You Book by Eric Carle
Book type: Books with Your Child’s Name
Age: 0-12 months +
What this helps with: Stories that have titles and characters, with your child’s name, create a special attachment. As long as the characters show positive traits, your children will develop a sense of connection. These books can also inspire children to develop and expand their interest in reading.
Recommended titles: Any children’s books that include characters that share your child’s name. These can be hard to source, but once you find one it can become extremely special.
Note: If you can’t find a book with your child’s name, consider changing the name of a character in a favourite book to the name of your child.
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/moo-baa-la-la-la/9780671449018-item.html?ikwid=Sandra+boynton&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=2
Book type: Rhyming Books
Age: 0-12 months +
What this helps with:
Did you know that the best books to read to your baby in utero are rhyming books? Studies show that while the actual words don’t matter, the rhythm and rhyme do resonate with unborn babies.
This resonance with rhythmic and rhyming patterns continues as babies grow – the lull of rhyme, is not only comforting, but when certain patterns mimic our heart beat, it’s universally adored.
Recommended titles:
Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton
Hop on Pop by Dr Seuss
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Note: Any title by these authors, is an incredible read.
Book type: Books that Repeat
Age: 0-12 months +
What this helps with: Babies learn through repetition. They love to master learning skills, and that includes comprehension and aural literacy skills, by repeating actions or hearing words over and over (and over and over and over) again.
Repetitive books also help children develop the ability to retell stories and “pre-read” books to themselves and to others.
Recommended titles:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See by Eric Carle
Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/everywhere-babies-lap-board-book/9780547510743-item.html?ikwid=Everywhere+babies&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=2
Book type: Familiar Stories
Age: 0-12 months +
What this helps with: We all want to feel connected to the world, and the people around us, and our babies do too – that is one of their primary learning goals!
Choosing books that relate to your baby’s life, can also help in times of transition, such as starting daycare, moving homes, and eventually starting school.
Recommended titles:
Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
Mommy Loves by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
Daddy Hugs by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/first-concept-bath-book-colors/9781786038968-item.html?ikwid=bath+book&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=10
Book type: Books that Travel
Age: 0-12 months +
What this helps with: Reading doesn’t just happen at home. We’re reading all over the place, and our babies can too. Offering your babies books in the bath, or on the go, helps babies develop their love of reading. And keeps them occupied on outings.
Recommended titles: Any books made for the bath.
Durable board books, cloth books or books that have stroller or car seat clips, that you can travel with.
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-sun-and-her-flowers/9781501175268-item.html?ikwid=sun+and+her+flowers&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=2
Book type: Books that Interest You
Age: 0-100 years
What this helps with: Children learn by observation – they’re looking at you to see what to do!
While it is hard to squeeze in personal reading time, even having your own books in your home, sends babies and children the signal that reading is great.
And trust me – you will get to a point where you can read more than a sentence at a time!
Recommended titles: Any books or reading material that you enjoy!