What this baby specialist had to say about PJ Library
As an antenatal teacher and baby sleep coach, I spend a lot of time talking about the importance of books to families.
Have fun with storytime to help them develop positive feelings about reading.
Reading with your little one, regardless of their age, can help with social development and thinking skills. When babies are very small, reading can help them bond, be it an older sibling who is reading with them or a parent or grandparent. The engagement, eye contact and closeness all help spark off positive neurological connections in your babies growing brain.
However, in my role as a sleep consultant, books have an even greater role. I often use reading as a tool to help wind-down and prepare a baby for their nap. Bedtime books such as Laila Tov or Todah are particularly good for pre-nap winddown and bedtime routines.
In addition, as your family grows, books such as Leo’s Tree can help prepare your child for the arrival of a new sibling and help them feel positive about this new addition and life change.
Top tips:
- Set up a regular routine
- Choose baby friendly books with bright, bold or high-contrast illustrations
- Celebrate your baby’s sounds – gurgling is their way to communicate with you
- Guide their hands to point to the pictures and respond accordingly – woof if it’s a drawing of a dog!
- Repetition is the best way to learn.
- Have fun with storytime to help them develop positive feelings about reading
There really aren’t any downsides to spending time with your child reading so go on, pick up a book, get snuggled with your little one on the sofa and enjoy the quality time together.
About Antenatal clients receiving their PJ Library books at our Antenatal Group Reunions.
Victoria Rose is the founder of AllAboutBabies.org. She is a Registered Baby Rocks Mentor and teaches her antenatal courses in association with BRA. She trained as a sleep consultant with the Naturally Nurturing Sleep Clinic, received a Distinction in Level 3 Maternity Nurse (non-medical) training with HATA.
Victoria is also an avid reader as are her two children who have read most PJ Library books - Shani's Shoebox and Five Little Gefiltes being firm favorites!
Victoria can be contacted at allaboutbabies.org.uk and follow All About Babies on Instagram.