Choosing Good Books for Infants and Toddlers
By Terri Black County Extension Agent

Family & Consumer Science News

Can very young children actually enjoy reading, or are infants and toddlers too young for books? Many adults mistakenly believe

that books are only interesting for preschoolers and schoolage children, because they can understand stories.

But even the

youngest children can learn a lot by hearing stories and interacting with books. Make sure to include some read-aloud time in every child's day, beginning at birth.

Reading aloud teaches young children a variety of skills. For very young infants, cuddling together with a good book is a great time for face-to-face contact and gentle touch. Infants whose parents hold them and read to them learn to associate reading time with warmth and closeness. Hearing a book read aloud also helps young children learn language. Toddlers also enjoy this one-on-one contact over a good book. And toddlers can learn important bookhandling skills, such as how to hold a book right side up, how to start from the beginning, and how to turn pages one at a time. What kind of books should I look for?

Parents can begin building a love of reading from the time their child is born. Keep in mind that different types of books are best suited for children of different ages. Here are some tips to help you choose the most appropriate books for your infant or toddler.

Infants

Books for infants should be simple, bright and colorful. Books made of heavy cardboard are best because many infants explore books by grabbing, chewing and tearing them. Cloth or vinyl books are also practical because they can be washed easily. Most infants enjoy books with short words and simple pictures of familiar objects. Books about animals or people are popular with many infants. Books with simple, repeating lines also attract infants' attention. Remember that even if the infants do not understand the words, they will enjoy listening to the sounds of the language.

Toddlers

Toddlers are beginning to recognize and identify pictures. Look for books with action, pictures, rhymes, and repetition. Toddlers love to hear the same story over and over again - and the repetition helps them practice language skills. Try books like, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" with repeating lines and themes. After you have read the book several times, your child may start to complete the repeating lines with you. You might also choose books on topics that especially interest your toddler. If she is excited about butterflies, looks for books like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." If she is interested in dinosaurs, a book like "Oh My, Oh My, Oh Dinosaurs!" might be popular. Reading time should be fun!

When choosing books for young children, pick books that can be read in five or ten minutes. Most infants and toddlers won't sit still for long stories. It's also fine if you and your child don't finish a book in one sitting. If your child gets bored or squirmy, put the books aside and return to it later. You may also want to follow your child's lead when reading aloud. If your child turns the pages more quickly than you can read, talk with him about the pictures on each page, or read parts of the pages before he turns them. Having fun reading together is the most important thing. If reading time is fun, your child is much more likely to have a positive attitude about learning to read when he starts school. Finding lists of good books for young children

There are many ways to find good books for your young child. Libraries and book stores often keep lists of popular and well-written books for children of different ages. You might look for Caldecott Medal winners. These books have been honored for their outstanding artwork. If you're looking for a particular title or a book on a specific topic, ask a children's librarian for help. You might also try searching online bookstores such as amazon.com or barnesadnboble.com - these and other websites have extensive lists of books to match all sorts of interests.

Reading together can be an enjoyable activity for you and your child. Even infants and toddlers can enjoy books. Remember to choose books that interest you child, with short words and sentences and colorful pictures. Make reading time a fun experience! The time you spend reading together will give your child a head start in language development and will help strengthen the bond between you and your child.

Reference: Adapted from Lopes, M. (Ed.), Selecting Books for Children. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service.