|
Goals
1.
Provide
programming for 0-2 year olds
2.
Promote
emergent literacy skills
3.
Present
informative language pattern skills to parents
4.
Expand
infants attention span
5.
Enhance
child’s physical sensations
6.
Enhance
socialization for parents and infants
7.
Impart
parents with helpful tools to use at other times with their child
8.
Exhibit
a welcoming, fun atmosphere to visit the library
9.
Nurtures
new generations of library users
10.
Help
develop life long library habits |
SUGGESTIONS
When should you start reading
to
children?
Infancy is not too young,
because
listening is so important
to the development of language. Books serve as models of language, and
introduce a wide variety of different words and sounds. Babies love the
noses,
chanting, rhymes and songs found in early books. When you read aloud to
your
infant, they discover that books have words and pictures, stories have
a sequence,
language is made up different sounds, and words and pictures have
meaning. It all starts so early!
What books are best for
infants?
Early
books should provide ways to involve the
child, either through language or touch. Pictures should be clear and
colorful,
but the most important element is the sound of the
language. Look
for books where the words flow rhythmically, there is repetition, and
questions
are asked. |
|
GUIDELINES
FOR READING
TO
INFANTS
·
Read when you feel
like it. Try to do it
both at routine times (like bedtime) and during the day when you have
the time.
Have books available everywhere!
·
Select something you
want to read. If you
don’t like a particular book, put it away.
·
Read when your child
is most likely to sit
still (just after a nap or before bed). Do not try to read to a
fussy,
wiggly baby.
·
Make sure you are
both comfortable. Let
infants hold a teething ring or a small quiet toy while you read.
·
Be responsive.
Stay on a page if you baby
is interested, and skip pages if your child gets restless. Stop reading
altogether if you baby fusses or loses interest.
·
Let you child help
you turn the pages.
·
Point to things on
the page as you are
reading. Respond positively to your child’s attempts at naming
pictures.
·
Repeat familiar books.
Children love
repetition and learn a lot from hearing stories over and over again.
·
Use your voice. A
calm, quiet voice
sounds best; feel free to use expression and other voices when
necessary. Sound
effects and animal noises are fun for babies.
·
Store special books
in a place where your baby
can see them, but where they will be safe. All “Lift-the-Flap” and
“pop-up”
books should go up high. Board books and plastic books can usually
withstand
baby’s enthusiasm, so they can be with baby’s toys.
(Source: From Raising
Readers: A guide to Sharing Literature with Young
Children, 1980) |
FIVE
EASY STEPS FOR
SHARING BOOKS WITH YOUR BABY
1.
Pick the best time: A time when you
and your baby are in a good mood.
2.
Show baby the book: Point to the
pictures and talk naturally and cheerfully.
3.
Talk
and have fun: Remember to touch and
love your baby the
whole time.
4.
Watch what baby does: Let your baby
play with the book if he wants to and stop for now if he gets upset.
5.
Share
a book with your baby every day: Even
just a few minutes a day is important
The Kids’ Place staff can
help you choose books especially for infants and toddlers. Enjoying
books with
your baby can be one of the most satisfying experiences you share. |
