You can begin right now or even at the time of your child's birth. The story might not be fully understood by newborns, but it still aids in brain development. This is because they will begin to learn ways to communicate. More importantly, reading to them and telling them stories help strengthen your bond with them.
THE IMPORTANCE OF READING TO YOUR BABY
During your baby's brain development, reading to him or her will help stimulate their imagination. A variety of words and sounds will also be introduced to your child through reading and storytelling. As your child grows, his/her range of thoughts will expand, which will be a slow and gradual process that will be beneficial in years to come.
It's like giving him/her a head start. The fact that your child will develop rapidly does not guarantee that they will achieve developmental milestones at an earlier age than their peers. It's certain that you are providing your child with an early advantage in the best way you can. This early advantage is vital in your baby's rapid cognitive development, whether it's about expanding his vocabulary and learning how to make sense of the world.
Early exposure to a variety of words and sounds can also boost a child's communication and social skills. Your child will be able to repeat the words you pronounced in story time within a few weeks or months. It won't be long before your child will use many of those words on his or her own. Your child can communicate better when they have that "reserve" of words, which can help them in their social skills.
READING TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME
It is vital that you read to your baby in the early years. However, how do you maximize your reading time and make it more enjoyable?
One way is by finding a quiet place to read in. Silence is important so that your child can focus on your voice and better hear the story.
The other way is to actually enjoy your reading time. You will positively affect your baby with your energy and enthusiasm, so the stories will be more exciting and engaging. It's important to fill yourself with energy and enthusiasm before the reading period begins. By doing so, both you and your baby will enjoy sharing stories and bonding.
This should always be a fun and relaxing experience for both of you. After all, we don't escape reality through stories. By immersing ourselves in new worlds, we are experiencing universal emotions and experiencing new experiences. The same thing applies to our children, they get to experience life more while at the same time developing rapidly.