Why Teach This Early?
Reading aloud from birth builds vocabulary, attention, and a love of books. Babies who are read to daily enter school with larger vocabularies and stronger pre-reading skills.
Progressive Sub-Goals
Looking
Target: 0-3 monthsLooks at high-contrast images in board books
💡 Tip: Start with black and white books for newborns. Hold books 8-12 inches from their face. Read aloud - your voice matters more than the words.
Reaching
Target: 4-6 monthsReaches for and mouths board books
💡 Tip: Board books are meant to be chewed! Let them explore books physically. Point to pictures and name them.
Recognition
Target: 7-9 monthsRecognizes familiar objects or people in books
💡 Tip: Point to pictures and ask "Where's the dog?" They'll start to look! Use books with familiar objects.
Page Turning
Target: 9-12 monthsTurns pages and points to pictures
💡 Tip: By 12 months, they may have favorite books. Read the same books repeatedly - repetition builds language. Let them "help" turn pages.
Labeling & Repetition
Target: 9-12 monthsEngages in book reading with labeling and repetition
💡 Tip: Point and label pictures repeatedly. Ask simple questions. They're building vocabulary even before they can speak!
Teaching Tips
- 1Read aloud from birth - it's never too early
- 2Let babies explore books physically
- 3Point to and name pictures
- 4Read the same books repeatedly - babies love repetition
Global Context
Programs like "Reach Out and Read" provide books at pediatric visits worldwide. Research consistently shows that early reading exposure predicts later literacy success.
Learning Resources
Related Skills to Explore
#11 Object Permanence
Cognitive & Strategic • Age 0 (0-12 months)
Tracks objects with eyes as they move
#12 Sensory Exploration
Cognitive & Strategic • Age 0 (0-12 months)
Explores objects with hands and mouth
#13 Cause & Effect Understanding
Cognitive & Strategic • Age 0 (0-12 months)
Accidentally discovers actions have effects
#1 Tummy Time & Head Control
Health & Wellness • Age 0 (0-12 months)
Tolerates brief tummy time (1-2 minutes) with support
#2 Grasping & Reaching
Practical Life • Age 0 (0-12 months)
Reflexively grasps objects placed in hand
#3 Rolling Over
Health & Wellness • Age 0 (0-12 months)
Rolls from tummy to back with momentum