Babies & Books
from the beginning
Young Toddler (15 months to 2 years)
The Library: A Special Place for Baby and You
Newborn (Birth to 6 Months)
Newborns love the soothing sounds of familiar voices, the security of being held and the sight of bright bold pictures.
During this time your newborn will learn to:
- stare at things nearby
- watch your movements and facial expressions
- make different sounds - babbles, coos, squeals
- play with hands and feet
- enjoy rhythm and being rocked
- cry to show feelings
What you can do with your newborn:
- prop board books next to your baby for him/her to look at
- listen to your baby "talk"; smile and babble back
- talk about what you are doing
- point to and name objects and pictures
- choose some books that show faces of different people
- choose some books that have different textures to touch and feel
- calm your baby with nursery rhymes and songs
- rock your baby to sleep with lullabies
Rock-a-bye, Baby
Rock-a-bye baby on
the tree top,
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
Find this and other songs in Singing Bee! A Collection of Favorite Children's Songs by Jane Hart.