Reading to and sharing books with your baby is not only one of the most important things you can do to help your baby's development. It will also provide you some quality time with your baby. It will let you bond with your baby and just get to know your baby just a little bit better.

Reading with Your Baby:
During the early years with your baby, it is important too remember that reading is not about teaching your baby how to read. It is about bonding; teach those motor skills as they help turn the pages, and starting their imaginations to work. Reading to your baby however will, provide you and your baby with many benefits.
1. It helps strengthen the bond between baby and you. Sitting down with your baby and giving them your undivided attention is reassuring to them.
2. It will let them hear the variety of sounds that the spoken language is made up of. Their first steps while learning to talk and read.
3. It will teach your baby how a book works. That they have a cover, that you can turn the pages. It will also let them know that they are filled with information.
4. It can start to teach them concepts like animals, shapes, colors, and more.
5. They will begin to learn that reading is interesting and important part of life.

When do you start reading?
Why not start now. It has been proven that it is never too early to start reading to your baby. Even babies in the womb are able to hear the soft tones of you or your partner reading. You can get in the habit before the baby arrives and find out for yourself just how relaxing reading or being read to is.
Even though newborns are only able to see a foot or so in front of them, they will like you reading to them. They may have no interest towards the book, but they still will be calmed by the sound of your voice. Babies will absorb the sound you make and become familiar with them. By starting, when they are young will help make it a routine. Even if your baby is a toddler, all ready start-introducing books today. Some babies and toddlers will not be able to sit through a full book even a baby book. Do not think that it is not working because of this and do not force them to sit through the book. Forcing a child to sit through something, more then likely will turn them off to the idea of reading. If you only get through part of a story that is Ok You are still giving your child a great head start. (You can always finish the story the next time.)

Board books are a good first choice:
These books are made with baby in mind with their thick cardboard pages. Board books are made to last, drool resistant can be chewed on, and nearly impossible to tear. Of course, other types of books are available that you can share with your baby if you would like. You just need to realize that the books might not last very long. Old magazines or catalogs with their big, bold pictures and limited shelf life are another great option.

It is Important to Read Regularly.
Do your best to read or share a book with child daily. No this is not a rule that must not be broken a new parent's life is stressful enough without having another obligation. The point is to make reading and books a normal routine in your child's life.
Share the books story.
Do not just read the words on the page. Gasp, make the sounds of animals and motors, and try to act out what is happening. You can point things out. Remember to name objects, shapes, and colors. Encourage your baby to turn the book's pages make reading an engaging experience

Be Happy:
Reading ought to be a joy and not a chore for you or your baby. If the day has been one of those days, or your baby is cranky, maybe you are exhausted; then leave the board book for another time. Maybe you are tired of reading and whether it is after 20 minutes or five it is time to stop reading. Right now, you are trying to associate reading with good feelings. Making reading a part of baby's daily routine will help to ensure that you and baby will be in the mood to share a book on most days.

Let your baby explore if they want
Reading to baby is not always as straightforward as it sounds. The baby might just lie there, and it may appear they have no interest in what you are reading. An older baby might snatch the book away, flip pages at random, toss the book over their shoulder, and be off and running. When this happens, do not worry keep read the book aloud to yourself. You are still exposing your baby to language, and by acting interested in what you are doing, chances are baby will become interested, too. Just do not force the issue. The book will always be there tomorrow remember be happy!