The benefit of books for babies
Posted on August 1st, 2008 at 5:28 pmNew and expectant moms can create their own personalized book registry, a unique source for baby shower gifts. Tired of fielding endless questions about what family and friends should buy for your toddler’s birthday or Christmas present? A registry at MyBookStork.com ensures they’ll receive a cherished and productive gift. It’s free, quick, and easy ? and the rewards last a lifetime.
We know you have a lot of choices in book retailers. We set ourselves apart by providing you with a wide range of books for all ages and interests ? but we don’t overwhelm you with thousands to sift through. Here, you’ll find a carefully chosen collection of timeless classics, exciting new stories, and specialized topics like baby books for baby book registries and books for expectant mothers.
Reading provides rich rewards, so what better way to make a difference? At MyBookStork.com, we believe reading and philanthropy can ? and should ? go hand-in-hand. We donate a portion of each book purchase to a carefully selected suite of charitable organizations. What a wonderful baby shower idea!
Benefits of Books for Babies
As a new or expectant mother, you want only the best for your baby?and you’ll do whatever it takes to provide it. In the months before your little one arrives, you’ll likely be feverishly creating a registry of must-have baby essentials, such as a crib, changing table, stroller, and baby clothing. While these practical items are certainly indispensable to your newborn’s comfort and your convenience, they’re not particularly stimulating to your little one’s cognitive development. For a well-rounded, diverse registry, why not include a library of books specially geared for babies?
Why Register for Books?
Many new moms make the mistake of waiting to read to their baby until they’ve reached toddler age. It’s easy to see why?after all, an infant has little awareness of what a book is, much less the ability to follow a storyline or recognize images. The truth is, there are a boon of benefits that come with reading to your newborn:
- Your baby loves the sound of your voice. You wouldn’t wait until your baby learned the meanings of words to start talking to her-so why wait to narrate a special book? Reading aloud to your little one provides a great opportunity to expose her to the soothing cadence of your voice.
- Speech lessons begin from day one. The first year of your baby’s life is the most important in terms of learning the basic sounds she’ll need to speak her native language. Although your infant can?t string words together yet, she’s busy listening to everyone around her and practicing her own first noises. Reading to your baby helps to expose her to a rich variety of words and sounds, which she’ll use as the basic building blocks in forming an initial vocabulary.
- Babies need stimulation. Obviously, a newborn?s brain isn’t fully developed yet. Providing a healthy level of stimulation can help to speed up cognitive growth and sensory awareness. Books stimulate an array of senses: bright colors help develop sight, varying textures and materials cater to touch, and books with special sounds help stimulate hearing. Early reading has also been linked to better memory, listening, and vocabulary skills later in life.
- Reading leads to bonding. No matter what your baby’s age, paging through a book together creates an aura of closeness and intimacy. Your baby will enjoy the physical closeness to you, reveling in your smell, your voice, and the soothing rhythm of your heartbeat. Reading to your baby isn’t as one-sided as you might think-when you share a story, you’re participating in an interactive experience in which your baby reacts to the information you present, creating a sense of partnership.
- It creates a soothing sleep routine. Anyone who’s had a baby knows the potential struggle that comes with getting the little one to adhere to a sleep schedule. Although there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period, studies have shown that developing early routines can help to create a soothing environment that promotes more regular and more restful sleep. Babies thrive on repetition, so choosing a few favorite books and reading them over and over again before naptime or bedtime can help your little one drift into dreamland.
- It’s never too early to learn. Although babies may not fully understand the concepts that are being presented to them, providing early exposure to basic shapes, colors, animals, and faces helps to create a solid foundation for all they’ll be learning in the months to come. Plus, reading helps to foster a healthy expression of emotions and strong communication skills, both of which figure in earlier than you might think.
Not only are they beneficial for baby, books provide a refreshing alternative for friends or family members seeking an economical yet meaningful gift for the new arrival. And by choosing a title you’ve personally selected for your baby, they can purchase with confidence.