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A love of books is a gift for life

How to share books with babies and toddlers

• Get ready! Choose a cosy, quiet place and a book, rhyme or song that you and the baby will enjoy. Don’t worry if you feel a little shy at first. The more you practise the better you will become.

• Babies love the sound of your voice so turn off the TV or radio so that they can hear you.

• Make a routine and try to share a book every day. But, if your baby is bored or fretful, try again when they are in the mood.

• Point to the pictures and talk about things in them that your baby knows. Choose familiar things (a dog or a ball, for example) as this will build up the baby’s understanding of words.

• Your baby will soon learn about books – start at the front and turn the pages to keep the story going. They will soon be turning pages and trying to talk.

• The exact words of the story don’t matter. Even if you feel that you’re not a good reader, it’s your voice and closeness that count so don’t worry!

• Try out funny voices and sounds, play and have fun! Babies love to be tickled and bounced along to a rhyme or story.

• Babies love to hear the same story over and over again. It helps them to remember what comes next.

• Remember, books are not just for bedtime, so take a book with you when you go shopping or in the car.

Your local library welcomes babies and toddlers, and there are lots of baby books for you to borrow free of charge.

The library holds regular story times for babies and toddlers. For more information about Bookstart call your local library or 01824 708218