Read and Touch
Prep: None | Activity Time: 3–5 Minutes
It’s never too early to begin reading to your baby. When you read together, you help your baby learn and grow to love books! Babies love to look at and touch shapes and high-contrast objects in their environments. Simple soft or board books are a good way to start introducing new things to your child.
- Comfortable place to sit
- Board book or soft book with simple pictures such as:
- Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?
- My First Taggies Book: Sweet Dreams
Step 1: Find a comfy spot to sit with your baby on your lap.
Step 2: With your baby cuddled closely to you, hold a book with clear, simple and colorful pictures so that you can both see.
Step 3: Touch simple pictures and talk softly as you label and talk about the objects in the book. For example:
“Look! A bunny!”
Give your baby a moment to focus on the object before you begin to talk about it.
“This bunny is white with a fluffy tail. He hops around the grass!”
Step 4: Follow your baby’s gaze and movement. She'll let you know when she's ready to move on.
Step 5: Allow your baby to touch and explore the book as you read together.