Books and Babies

Reprinted by" permission of the publisher from Nuba-Scheffler, Hannah, Sheiman, Deborah Lovitto,, & Watkins, Kathleen PulIan, INFANCY: A GUIDE TO RESEARCH & RESOURCES. (New York: Teachers College Press, © 1986 by Hannah Nuba-Scheffler, Deborah Lovitky Sheiman, & Kathleen Pullan Watkins. All rights reserved.), pp. 143-i54. Although bedtime stories and storytelling have always been a universal tradition, adults rarely realize the profound impact this interaction has on the child's total development, especially in the area of communication skills. In fact, reading a story to a child is one of the most valuable and satisfying activities a child and adult can share. For the child, being read to in a warm and loving sett ing is a deeply fulfilling experience, bringing about a feeling of trust and security that spans a lifetime. Indeed, in such an atmosphere, the seeds for early literacy and love for literature are planted. As part of my work in The New York Public Library Early Childhood Resource and Information Center, I am often asked by expectant or new parents about the best time for introducing books to young children. My answer is always: "Right now." I suggest that when considering the newborn's furniture needs, a bookshelf, no matter how simple, be included. As " s t a r t e r " books , there should be some sturdy, colorful board books await ing the baby ' s arr ival home from the hospital . Inc luded should also be some "bes t loved" classics for (to quote Professor Bernice Cullinan) "handing down the magic." I also suggest that parents play the "conversation game" with baby from day one. Gentle, relaxed conversation (albeit one-sided at first) provides a rich learning environment for the infant from the beginning, while tending to have a soothing effect on the interacting parent as well. This is also the ideal time for acquainting baby with nursery rhymes, poetry, songs, and stories.