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Promoting Literacy: Prenatal
Bonding with Your Unborn Baby Through Books
If you’re like most expectant parents, the last few months of your pregnancy will probably be a whirlwind of shopping, preparing, and painting—and a whole lot of waiting. In between tasks, you’ll likely feel impatient and anxious for your little one to arrive. While you won’t see your baby’s face until he’s made his debut, you don’t have to wait until delivery to begin interacting with him.
The womb is not a quiet environment. As early as six months in utero, your baby is already accustomed to the sound of his mother’s heartbeat, the rushing of blood through the umbilical cord, and digestive sounds. Although noises from outside the womb—like the voices of his future parents—will be about 10 decibels lower, they’ll be perceived with amazing clarity. From week 25 on, your baby will use sound as his primary connection to the world and his central source of information about what’s going on outside of your womb.
Now that your baby is primed to hear what you have to say, what better way to introduce yourself than by sharing a favorite book?
• Benefits for your Unborn Baby
You’ve most likely seen a photo of a pregnant woman with headphones on her belly, piping classical music into her unborn baby’s ears. It may seem silly, but some experts believe that there are some valid advantages of exposing the fetus to music and books. While it's unclear as to whether the baby actually derives educational benefits, many studies have shown that fetal heart rates slow when the mother is speaking, indicating that the baby is comforted by her voice. This early bonding sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy relationships.
• Benefits for Parents
Pregnancy can be fraught with uncertainty and second-guessing, especially when you’re expecting your first baby. As the due date nears, future moms and dads may worry about how they’ll connect with their little one when he enters the world. Reading to your unborn baby provides an opportunity to slow down, take a break from all the frenzied preparations, and get in some valuable bonding time that goes well beyond shopping for strollers and decorating the nursery. As you talk to your unborn baby, you’ll gain a fresh appreciation of the person he’ll soon become.
• What to Read?
A great place to start is Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. An inspirational book for readers of all ages—especially for those about to set off into a new part of their life. Especially fitting for the birth of a new baby, this book lets readers take a deep breath and get ready for the next adventure. The rollicking verse happily tells readers about the great heights they’re sure to soar to, while also being realistic by warning readers to expect some lumps and bumps along the way. And in the end . . . “will you succeed? Yes! You will Indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)."
What book did you treasure most during your own childhood? Whether it was Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss or Bambi, bringing these timeless classics back into the limelight will be just as fun for you as for baby. When your baby enters the world, the books you shared during pregnancy will take on even more meaning when you read them to your newborn, and what better way to begin than with the wonderful Disney and Dr. Seuss classics you were raised with?
While there are still many unknowns about prenatal development, it’s become evident that bonding--and perhaps even learning--can start well before a baby enters the world. Prenatal reading is a great way to kick-start early literacy skills that will extend into infancy and beyond.
Prenatal Child Development Tips
• Can You Hear Me?
Yes, and sooner than you might think! By 18 weeks, a baby can hear the sound of your heartbeat and loud noises from the outside world. By 25 weeks, he can begin to distinguish the voices of those closest to him—especially those of his mother and father. Don't be afraid to bond with your belly. Get into the habit of relaxing in a glider with your favorite childhood book and reading to your baby every evening. These relaxing prenatal reading sessions will help you get a head start on bonding with your little one through books, and will expose your baby to the basic sounds that will form the foundation of his native language.
• Soothing Words
Your voice is the most familiar and soothing sound to your unborn baby. Studies have found that an unborn baby’s heart rate slows down when his mother is speaking, indicating a sense of calm. By spending time talking to and reading to your baby, you can start bonding with him before he enters the world. Don’t wait until birth to share favorite lullabies and stories—whenever you have a few minutes to spare, grab a book and read aloud or sing to your baby before turning in for the night. Don’t be surprised if you notice him physically responding to your voice.
• All in the Family
While his mother’s voice will probably be the most familiar to an unborn baby, also encourage other family members and close friends to talk and sing to your belly. This will help baby associate their voices with love, safety, and comfort, so he’ll be more likely to feel comfortable with them as a newborn. This "team communication" can also serve as a strengthening bond between parents.
• Sound it Out
While we hear sound firsthand, it has to travel a bit farther to get to your unborn baby. His ears are covered in a thick coating of vernix, the waxy substance that protects his skin. There are also some other layers the sound has to get through, such as your belly and uterus. Given all of these factors, it’s rather surprising that your unborn baby can hear sounds with impressive clarity, although they’ll be somewhat lower in volume than when you hear them. At this stage, enunciation isn’t as important as hearing the tones and cadences of his parents’ voices.
• Natural Responses
Don’t be alarmed if you begin to feel your baby physically responding to the world outside the womb. In the wake of a sudden loud noise, like a car door slamming, a wailing siren, a barking dog, or a heavy book dropping to the ground, you may notice your baby kicking or jerking suddenly. When this happens, you can soothe your baby by rubbing your stomach and speaking to him in a calming, soothing voice. |