Stages of Literacy a Guide for Parents: 0-12 Months

Milestones: -plays with sounds -communicate non-verbally -reaches for book -puts book in mouth -sits in lap -turns pages with help -looks at pictures -prefers pictures of faces What you can do: -hold child comfortably -follow babies cues and stop reading when child exhibits wanted to stop -point to an name pictures -sing songs and talk to your baby -have toys with the alphabet around for the child to play with, name letters while you play with him Other Information:  How to Read to a Squiggly Baby Other Things to Do With Your Baby Great books for this age group: Laden, Nina. Peek-a-who?. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2000. This board book is great for babies because it is colorful, and brief with repetition and rhyme. Ask your child the questions that are presented in the book even though they may not be able to answer! They will love the rhyming and peek-a-boo window. Wan, Joyce. You are my cupcake. New York: Cartwheel Books, 2011. Print. This sweet book has wonderfully bright colors that will catch any babies attention. There is also texture added to the pages to make the book more touchable to little hands and fingers. Sickler, Jonas, and Sarah Josepha Buell Hale. Mary had a little lamb. New York: Workman Pub., 2010. Print. This indestructible book tells the story of "Mary had a Little Lamb" with no text. This book allows babies to handle and chew on the book without it causeing the book any damage. Check out other "Indestructibles". While looking at the books parents can point and name objects in the picture, older babies can start to point to these things themselves.