Tips for reading aloud to babies and young children

• Have special book-sharing times in the day;
• Remove distractions - babies love to hear the sound of your voice;
• Use eye contact to ensure your child is listening;
• Ask questions and listen to the child;
• Use silly voices - don’t worry if you feel shy at first;
• Give praise as soon as your child shows appropriate behaviour;
• Don’t read for too long - little and often is best;
• Point to the words as you say them;
• Use books anywhere - on buses, trains, at the doctors' surgery etc;
• Use physical contact such as cradling or touching hands to gain attention;
• Deflect annoying behaviour rather than confronting it;