It may seem like reading to a newborn doesn’t make sense. But science shows reading to a child from birth makes a big difference. By reading five books a day, a child will hear 1.4 million more words by kindergarten than a child who was not read to. Even just reading one book a day to a child will introduce 290,000 words by age 5.
Not only does reading introduce new words, but it also introduces new concepts such as exploring Antarctica and the animals that live there or how families in different cultures live.
Raising children involves more than ensuring their physical well-being, it’s also about supporting their emotional and social development. It is never too early to start teaching children about the building blocks of healthy relationships that include empathy, respect and communication.
Building a castle of blocks, dreaming up a dramatic plot for dolls or running a pretend restaurant with plastic food. These are all great ways to play—and learn!