How to Read Aloud to a Baby Aged 4 to 8 Months Old
You have likely heard that babies̵7; brains are like sponges, absorbing information from the world around them. When you read to your baby, he learns how to listen and begins the process of language development. Reading aloud to your baby between the ages of 4 and 8 months might seem inconsequential, but the years between birth and age 2 are the most crucial for language development. The choice to read to your baby isn̵7;t enough -- the ways in which you read aloud to a baby are just as important.
Instructions
Speak clearly when you read a book out loud. According to Kids Health, by the age of 1 year, babies learn all the sounds needed to speak their native language. The more you speak clearly and accurately, the better your baby will be able to talk. Be expressive with your speech as you read aloud, as suggested by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. You might not think this step matters, but it is perhaps one of the most important tools for reading out loud. According to Kids Health, speaking with plenty of expression and emotion nurtures social and emotional development with your baby. Let your baby hold the books and put them in his mouth. Choose books made of cardboard, cloth or vinyl to prevent destruction of the pages -- your baby wants to explore the book, so let him do so. Schedule times to read aloud to your baby. Try cuddling with your baby as you read before nap time or bedtime; your baby will catch on to this routine, and reading time becomes a calming event for your child. According to Kids Health, cuddling also helps your baby feel warm and safe. Read poems or nursery rhymes with a singsong voice so your baby can hear sounds and rhythms. Get your baby involved in the reading process. Point to pictures, make sounds and ask questions like, ̶0;Where is the doggy?̶1; As your child reaches the age of 6 to 8 months, he will begin to understand that pictures represent objects, according to Kids Health. Act like reading is fun for you, too. Bounce your baby on your lap as you read, sing a nursery rhyme, make sounds like animals from the book and smile or laugh. Your baby will associate reading with pleasant feelings, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Hold your baby in your lap to make sure he can see the pictures as you read. Babies are drawn to bright colors and books featuring one or two pictures per page. Stay on a page for as long as your child is interested. Don̵7;t force your baby to sit through an entire book -- a baby age 4 to 8 months might lose interest after a couple of pages, and you don̵7;t want to associate negative feelings with books by forcing reading time. Continue reading even after your baby falls asleep when you read before bed or nap time. According to the Read to Me program, a baby loves to hear his mother̵7;s voice, and the sound of your voice is comforting and reassuring.
