Reading with your child 6-11 months

How to Share Books with Your Children

6 to 8 Months Old

            6 to 8 Months Can:

1. Hold onto a book and pat the pictures
2. Explore a book by feeling it, turning it even biting it
3. Copy some of the sounds you say or the looks on your face
4. Smile, laugh, squeal, reach for the book. Lets you know they want to keep going.
5. Pay attention for a few minutes at a time. They will let you know how long they want to read with you.

You Can:

1. Find a quiet, cozy place to cuddle up with a sturdy book or 2
2. Name & point to the pictures your baby shows interest in
3. Help turn the pages following your baby’s interest
4. Act out pictures using your face, hands and voice
5. Make a game of copying your baby playing with books
6. Talk about how your baby is enjoying the book. You can say: Is it a doggie. Doggie says woof woof.

9 to 11 Months Old

            9 to 11 Month Olds Can:

1. Reach for their favorite books
2. Hold onto a book and pat the pictures they like
3. Explore a book by putting it in their mouth, turning it upside down or opening/closing it. They may also explore by dropping it, listening for the sound.
4. Copy some of the sounds you make, the looks on your face or your gestures.
5. Pay attention to a book for a few minutes at a time

You Can:

1. Find a quiet, cozy place to cuddle up with a sturdy book or 2
2. Name & point to the pictures your baby is looking at
3. Turn the pages, follow her interest
4. Act out pictures using your face, hands and voice
5. Make a game of copying your baby playing with books
6. Talk about how your baby is enjoying the book. You can say: You like that car you’re patting. The car goes beep beep!