Children's Book Titles for Linguistic Development

Books for Infants

• Just because your baby isn't speaking actual sentences to you, doesn't mean that he isn't developing key linguistic skills. During the first year of life your little one will go from the basics -- such as reacting to noisy sounds and cooing to babbling and even saying a word or two. Ease your baby's beginnings into the world of language with simple books that use basic words. Zero to Three, a national, nonprofit early childhood organization, recommends parents choose books for infants that have pictures of familiar objects or photos of recognizable people. Children's titles that can help your baby to recognize familiar names -- such as dog, cat or ball -- and increase basic linguistic skills -- such as listening to you and making babbling noises in response -- include well-known books such as Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and Bill Martin's "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?". Additionally, books about babies or interactive titles, such as "Peek-a-Baby: A Lift-the-Flap Book" by Karen Katz, nurture your a child's language skills.

Toddlers

• By the time your toddler reaches 24 months he might understand up to 700 words, and by 30 months, he might have a speaking vocabulary of about 570 words, according to the child development pros at PBS Parents. As your toddler's curious nature lead him to exploration of the world around him, you can help him build his vocabulary by reading to children's book about the new sights and experiences, from puppies to tractors. Zero to Three encourages parents to choose toddler-friendly titles that focus on simple stories, rhymes, interactive features -- such as touch and feel or pop-ups -- and the alphabet. Titles such as Rod Campbell's "Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book" and Karen Katz's "Where is Baby's Belly Button? A Lift-the-Flap Book" provide hands-on ways to engage your toddler in learning new language. Another option is to go with a book that features new activities that your toddler is trying to master such as "Potty" by Leslie Patricelli or "Sharing Time" by Elizabeth Verdick.

Preschool-Aged Children

• Whether your 3- to 5-year-old attends a formal early education program or stays home, the preschool years include a more complex use of language in comparison to the earlier infant and toddler times. According to PBS Parents, most 4-year-olds can learn between four and six new words each day. Reading books to your preschooler builds his vocabulary and linguistic skills. Try children's books that feature longer stories, paragraphs or new vocabulary words but be ready to fulfill requests for reading old favorites. At this age, Instead of sticking to books that focus on overly-simple words -- such as "cat" or "dog" -- look for titles that introduce new words. If you aren't sure what books to choose, look for Caldecott honorees such as "Inch by Inch" by Leo Lionni, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" by Mo Willems or "The Three Pigs" by David Wiesner.

School-Aged Kids

• Although your grade schooler may seem fairly sophisticated when it comes to his linguistic skills, children's books will help him refine his language development. Continue to build his vocabulary by introducing new words through children's titles and help him to understand the in's and out's of the narrative -- or story -- structure through longer length, and later on, chapter books. For example, your young grade schooler may benefit from topical titles that focus on activities or school-related subjects such as "David Goes to School" by David Shannon or "Friends at School" by Rochelle Bunnet. These books can help him to put words to the feelings that he has when the school year starts. Older grade schoolers can expand their vocabulary and focus on different types of communication -- such as expressing emotions -- through chapter book stories such as Erin Hunter's "Warrior" series or Mary pope Osborne's "Magic Tree House" series.