Read Aloud Books...Baby will Love It

Choosing just the right book to read to a child can sometimes seem overwhelming. The way to get around that little hurdle is to locate 'suggested lists' for your child's age group. Go on line and explore...search for 'books for preschool age children' and many resources will be available. ..fiction, nonfiction, religious, not so religious, values, character development, ad infinitum....explore and find what works for you. Reading aloud to your baby is a wonderful time to bond and enjoy each other's company besides sharing a good story.

You will find that many books are readily available at your public library, yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, or bookstores in your community or on line. Check out Seussville.com where you will find activities as well as Dr. Seuss titles listed by age group. Dr. Seuss books are filled with much repetition and rhyme and that is a key element in the whole process of learning to read.

Seuss books are suggested because children often find them engaging and enjoy hearing the stories over and over and over....and that is key ....your child needs to 'buy' into what you are reading. If little interest is shown in what you are reading at the time, then, maybe the interest level is not appropriate for your child's age group, or, maybe she or he just does not like the subject matter...so move on...you have so many choices.

Your child is never too young to experience what books are. Sometimes, mommas-to-be read to their children before they are on the planet. Soon after birth, beginning to read to 'baby' opens up the new avenue to 'experience'...hearing your voice, the expression in your voice, feeling the warmth of you as you read, the safety of being in your arms...waking the synapses in the baby brain and creating the connection to your voice, the cadence of the words as they tumble from your lips...all connect and create a beginning to the reading experience.

Continue reading to your child and the natural connection to words and stories will come...you are setting in motion your child's interest in and aptitude for being successful in school. When your child is preschool age, you may think that sharing stories and books is only 'entertainment'. But it is far more than that. It is a way to create new wrinkles in your child's brain. You will 'hear' me refer to that often if you read more of my hubs about reading and children. You will also 'hear' me refer to your child's toolbox.

Your child's toolbox is the collection of bits and pieces of knowledge that equip her or him to discover, explore, question and problem solve..when the answer is not obvious to your child.

However, do not get lost in the "Oh, I want my child to be smarter and ahead before school begins" and miss the totally enthralling opportunity to share stories with your child and engage your child in the whole reading experience.

My grandson has been in love with books since he was a few days old. His momma held him on her lap from the first few days and rocked in her rocker and read story after to story and lulled him to sleep. As time passed, he began to take a personal interest in his books. Now at 16 months, he spends as much time with his books as he does with any 'toy' he has.

Just yesterday when I arrived for a visit, he was rummaging through his toy basket, searching, searching...and he found it...his favorite little book....his momma said..'Where's the snake?' He made the 'hissssssssssssssssing' sound he has learned that some snakes make. He then furiously searched for the picture of the snake in his book. This particular book has been loved so much it is now in two pieces....fortunately it is a hardcover book so it will last for many more years. I heard a 'mew', 'mew' as he looked through and found the kitties in his book.

It is never too early to open this avenue of discovery for your child. And, by the way.... it does become addictive...both to your child and you!

A wide variety of books are available for you to choose from.

Eric Carle books are always a favorite. They are colorful and entertaining.

· 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo

· The Very Hungry Caterpillar

· Pancakes, Pancakes

· The Tiny Seed

· Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Other titles include:

· Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

· The Adventures of Lowly Worm by Richard Scarry

· Richard Scarry’s ..What do People Do All Day? By Richard Scarry

· Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young by Jack Preutsky

· Richard Scarry’s Biggest Word Book Ever by Richard Scarry

· The Biggest Boy Kevin Henkes

· Bibs and Boots by Alison Lester

· Baby Says by John Steptoe

· I Love You More by Laura Duksta

· If You’re Happy and You Know It…Pop up book by David A. Carter

Religious Titles

· Jesus is With Me by DebbieArmstrong

· Read-Aloud Bible Stories Volume 4 Ella Klindvall

· 100 Singalong Songs for Kids by Cedarmont Kids

· God Loves You by Kathleen Bostrom and Elena Kuchanik