Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I know that it is good to read to babies.

When they are first born, do you think it is ok to read out loud adult books vs reading them Winnie the Pooh? There are a bunch of non-fiction and autobiographies that I would like to catch up on.

Message edited 1/13/2009 10:18:23 AM.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I think its the repetitiveness of the childrens book that they like and thats good for them or something like that Also the big pics are visually stimulating!

But I'm sure reading aloud your adult book can't hurt

Message edited 1/13/2009 10:20:52 AM.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I'm sure it's fine. I think at that stage the baby is more interested in hearing your voice rather than the story itself.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I was thinking that when they are first born, they are just getting used to our voices. It isn't like he is going to be able to understand or follow the story of the book.

Of course when he is a little older, I'll read to him while he follows the pictures in children's books.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I think as a newborn, they don't know the difference - it's just your vioce and intonation etc -

When they get a bit older, obviously, you want to give them something they can learn from, enjoy etc -

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

Reminds me of that scene in 3 Men and a Baby when Tom Selleck reads a Sports Illustrated to the baby in a sing-songy voice. He said it doesn't matter what I read to her, it's how I read to her!

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

Reading in any form is good for a baby. Part of it is so the baby begins to recognize your voice. I agree with others through that the repetitiveness of a children's book is good.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

My mom read Harry Potter to DS when he was a newborn.

She was watching him and really wanted to finish book 7

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

It's all exposure to language which is the most important part with a newborn. So catch up on your reading aloud.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I used to read articles from the New Yorker to DS when he was a newborn. I think just hearing the language was good for him. I sometimes read children's books to him, but he wasn't really interested in those until he was older -- so I stuck to reading things that I enjoyed.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I used to read the newspaper in a children's book voice. My dad used to read his calculus books to us.

Later when they are learning what words mean, you start with the baby books.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I was told by the doctor even if you read the paper to them that is fine...

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

I read anything I could to her, mostly my people mag. I did it with a lot of annimation.

As she got older I switched to baby books.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

Any reading is good because it provides exposure to language in addition to concepts about text (such as reading left to right, etc.). That being said, as the baby gets older I would definitely incorporate some kids books. As someone else said, they are more stimulated by the pictures and are aided by the repetitive text, rhyming, etc. These are all basic concepts of reading that they'll eventually need to know and the earlier exposure they get, the better.

Re: Do we have to read children's books to newborns? Can we read adult books out loud to them?

You can read anything - but I'm sure they would enjoy the rhythms and repetition of the baby books better. The point of reading is to let them hear words and the sounds. So you could mix it up, honestly the more you read to them in general the better it is.