Babies start learning from the time they’re born – in fact, they may even start learning while inside the womb. That means it’s never too early to start teaching them. Setting up a library in your nursery and reading to your newborn or infant gives you endless teaching opportunities. It encourages your little one to look, touch, point, and take in new information – and sets them up for a lifetime of learning.
Still, if you’ve never had a nursery library, you might feel unsure about what to include and what not to include. Here’s a complete guide to make sure you set your baby up for success!
Catering to Developmental Stages
Your baby will grow rapidly, both mentally and physically. With that in mind, it’s important to be mindful of their developmental stage when choosing what books to show them.
Newborns
Your baby is a newborn from birth to three months old. During this stage, babies take in information through their senses and make connections. Everything they see, hear, taste, touch, and smell teaches them something new. Their vision slowly develops over the first months of their lives, as they can see more colors and see things further away.
At this age, babies need books with highly contrasting colors, which will keep them visually stimulated. They can also learn by touch, so soft books that offer tactile exploration are key.
Infants
Your baby is considered to be an infant around three months old and will remain one until they’re about six months old. During this time, they start to express emotion, acknowledge the things they see and hear, and make sounds. They can finally see more than fuzzy shapes, which means they begin recognizing people and things.
In this developmental stage, books with simple patterns and bright colors are excellent for mentally stimulating your baby. Books that include faces and expressions will help them both with recognition and learning more about emotions.
Creating a Cozy Reading Nook
Once you’ve chosen the books for your nursery library, you’ll need the perfect space. Making your child’s first library a comfortable and inviting space is key to helping your child love learning for a lifetime. If space allows, designate one corner of your nursery to reading. Here are a few simple furniture recommendations:
- Include one to two small bookshelves. If you don’t have space, try displaying books on your dresser. The Natart Kyoto Double Dresser has plenty of space for books and other decor.
- Add soft cushions and blankets to encourage snuggling up with a book.
- Keep a reading lamp nearby to ensure proper lighting for reading sessions.
Making Reading a Ritual They Look Forward To
Reading is a highly valuable tool that can teach your child about emotions, life experiences, skills, and more. By creating a nursery library that encourages your baby to read now, you’re setting them up for a lifelong love of reading. With that in mind, it’s important to build consistent habits around reading to make sure it’s something they look forward to.
A few ways to do this include:
- Establishing a consistent reading routine, even if it’s just a few pages each day.
- Reading out loud to your baby, being expressive, and showing excitement for the book in hand.
- Asking your baby questions about the book to get them involved.
- Asking your baby to point at pictures and text as you read along.
Ultimately, creating a nursery library is all about choosing the best books, setting up the right space, and getting into routines that keep you and your baby coming back for more reading time. By reading to your little one, you give them visual and auditory stimulation that helps them develop their senses, create mental connections, develop emotionally, and more.
As you set up your nursery library, make sure you choose furniture with your baby’s health in mind. All Natart, Tulip, and Nest furniture is Greenguard GOLD Certified, meets US and Canadian safety standards, and includes high-quality materials and finishes. Learn more here and get started on your nursery library today!
