Your Child Will Learn
How to explore books through the senses (looking, touching, and with their mouth)
Here’s What to Do
- Choose a book that will gain the interest of your infant (soft books, books with textures, board books, picture books, lift-the-flap books).
- Sit close while you read the book or let your child hold the book; read the title, name the images on its cover, and then read the book if there are words.
- As you read the book, point to images and words while describing what you see.
- Allow your child to touch the book (and stick it in their mouth, if they want to!). Pause when something captures their attention or if they have a verbal response.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Sit with your baby in a quiet place, free from distraction.
ENGAGE
- Be animated and use expressive voices as you read. Use your fingers to outline images in the book.
- Narrate your actions as you read the book, “Now let’s turn the page”
ENCOURAGE
- Allow your child to touch the book. If it’s a book with textures or flaps to lift, guide their hand and help them interact with the pages. Let them hold the book and turn the pages if they’d like!
- Respond to your child when they make sounds or gestures, like: “Oooh, you’re noticing the puppy!”
REFLECT
- Are books capturing my baby’s attention yet? (It takes some children a while before they can sit through an entire book, this is expected!)
Not Quite Ready
Even if it seems like your child is not paying attention to or enjoying books just yet, keep reading to them! It’s a skill they will learn over time with practice.
Ready for More
Place some books in front of your child and allow them to select the book to read.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will look at, touch, mouth, or hold a book being read to them.
Time to Complete
5-7 minutes
Materials Needed
Soft books, board books, texture books, or lift-the-flap books