Birth–12 Months: Laying the Foundation

During the first year, babies are building important connections through every sound, expression, touch, and interaction. Long before they can understand or say words, they are listening, watching, and absorbing language. Sharing books from birth offers a simple way to connect, build early communication skills, and introduce reading as a comforting and enjoyable part of everyday life.

What to Explore at This Stage

Look for:

• High-contrast images, bold colors, and simple illustrations that encourage babies to look and focus
• Photographs of babies, faces, families, animals, and familiar everyday objects
• Sturdy board books with thick pages, rounded edges, and sizes that are easy for small hands to hold
• Soft, crinkly, reflective, and textured books that invite touching and exploration
• Interactive features such as mirrors, flaps, and different textures
• Nursery rhymes, songs, and simple repetitive language
• Wordless or nearly wordless books that make it easy to talk about the pictures and create a story
• Books that can become part of comforting routines, including quiet time, cuddling, and bedtime

At this stage, books are meant to be explored in many ways. Babies may reach for them, hold them, pat them, drop them, or put them in their mouths. These are all natural ways of learning. Point to pictures, name familiar objects, imitate expressions, make playful sounds, sing, and respond to babies’ smiles and babbles.

There is no right way—or too-early time—to begin sharing books. The sound of a familiar voice, time spent together, and the experience of exploring a book all help lay the foundation for language, connection, and a lifelong love of reading and learning.