Babies need books too!

Many times we think reading begins when a child starts school, but actually there are many pre-skills that babies are learning when a parent or teacher interacts with them using a book. Babies learn about the movement of pages and reading left and right. If an adult points out pictures then babies learn that pictures give clues to what the story is about. These young children learn about fluency through the flow of language, speed, pause, and expression. Reading aloud increases vocabulary. Often picture books use words that we do not use in everyday conversation thus adding to a baby's word collection. Rhyming books will introduce babies to word families. The young child who reads "wall" recognizes that he can read "fall" too.
Board books are especially handy for little hands.

       Notice this little one studying the picture in his book.