At Star Learners, we believe in the power of stories to ignite a lifelong passion for learning. By embracing a literature-based approach to early childhood education, we empower children to become enthusiastic readers and lifelong learners, setting them on a path to success in school and beyond.
From the earliest days of infancy, we recognise the positive impact that exposure to books and storytelling can have on a child’s development. By immersing our youngest learners in these captivating stories, we not only lay the foundation for literacy, but also nurture essential language skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Research shows that children who are exposed to books from an early age tend to develop strong pre-reading skills and a deeper understanding of language. Moreover, regular exposure to storytelling can accelerate the development of speech and communication abilities, particularly when parents or caregivers read aloud to them. Through interactive storytelling and engaging visuals, young minds are stimulated, fostering curiosity and creativity while encouraging a deeper exploration of the world around them.
Selecting books for infants (0-12 months)
Choosing the right books for your little one during their first year of life can be challenging. As infants are still developing their comprehension skills, it is essential we select books that cater to their sensory exploration while laying the groundwork for future literacy skills.
At this age, it’s common for infants to engage with books through touch, taste and sight, inevitably often leading to some wear and tear – it’s all part of exploration! To accommodate that, opt for durable options like board or cloth books that can withstand their curious hands and mouths.
Selecting books for infants (0-12 months)
Choosing the right books for your little one during their first year of life can be challenging. As infants are still developing their comprehension skills, it is essential we select books that cater to their sensory exploration while laying the groundwork for future literacy skills.
At this age, it’s common for infants to engage with books through touch, taste and sight, inevitably often leading to some wear and tear – it’s all part of exploration! To accommodate that, opt for durable options like board or cloth books that can withstand their curious hands and mouths.
Consider also the simplicity of wordless or minimally texted storybooks, which captivate their visual senses and also encourage focused attention on the imagery. Such books provide a perfect platform for interactive reading sessions, where animated storytelling, expressive gestures and sounds can bring the narrative to life. As you read together with your child, take the opportunity to point out objects within the illustrations, helping to expand their vocabulary and comprehension.
By incorporating these techniques into our infant care programme at Star Learners, we create a nurturing environment where little ones can engage with stories, fostering a love for reading from the very beginning. It’s no wonder this aspect of our daily routine often brings the most smiles to our infants’ faces!
Recommended books for infants (0 to 12 months)
1
Hello, My World: A Durable
High-Contrast Black-and-White
Board Book for Newborns and
Babies by duopress labs
Featuring easy-to-read text and black-and-white art, this book acknowledges young babies’ inability to distinguish between colours while still supplying a stimulating visual experience.
2
Urban Garden Pram Book
by Taf Toys
Equipped with double-sided changing panels, this wonderful soft cloth book taps into babies’ senses of touch and sight. It even comes with a baby-safe mirror that will thrill infants as they discover themselves!
3
Pat The Bunny: First Books for
Baby by Dorothy Kunhardt
Made up of three books, this boxed set offers another great way to encourage curiosity in little ones. With the books’ inserts, babies can actually feel the soft fur of the bunny, the cat, and the puppy.
Selecting books for toddlers (12-18 months)
As toddlers blossom into their second year, their understanding of the world expands rapidly. This newfound cognitive development presents a golden opportunity to enrich their literary experiences.
At this stage, children are beginning to grasp the concept of storytelling and basic conversations. It’s a perfect time to leverage their growing comprehension and vocabulary through books. Choose stories that resonate with their experiences, featuring familiar characters or objects like their favourite animals.
It’s also a good time to expose them to the concept of plots and emotions. Opt for books with short stories that explore these themes, which you can discuss together. You can even draw connections to your child’s experiences after reading.
Look out for books with predictable structures, such as rhyming text and corresponding illustrations, which facilitate engagement and comprehension. Don’t hesitate to pause at the appropriate moments and encourage your child to participate by filling in words or phrases.
Above all, prioritise engagement and interaction. In our infant care programme, we tailor storytelling experiences to keep toddlers enthralled. Whether it’s allowing them extra time on the more interesting pages or encouraging them to act out character actions and emotions, we strive to make reading a dynamic and immersive adventure for every child.
Selecting books for toddlers (12-18 months)
As toddlers blossom into their second year, their understanding of the world expands rapidly. This newfound cognitive development presents a golden opportunity to enrich their literary experiences.
At this stage, children are beginning to grasp the concept of storytelling and basic conversations. It’s a perfect time to leverage their growing comprehension and vocabulary through books. Choose stories that resonate with their experiences, featuring familiar characters or objects like their favourite animals.
It’s also a good time to expose them to the concept of plots and emotions. Opt for books with short stories that explore these themes, which you can discuss together. You can even draw connections to your child’s experiences after reading.
Look out for books with predictable structures, such as rhyming text and corresponding illustrations, which facilitate engagement and comprehension. Don’t hesitate to pause at the appropriate moments and encourage your child to participate by filling in words or phrases.
Above all, prioritise engagement and interaction. In our infant care programme, we tailor storytelling experiences to keep toddlers enthralled. Whether it’s allowing them extra time on the more interesting pages or encouraging them to act out character actions and emotions, we strive to make reading a dynamic and immersive adventure for every child.
Our book recommendations for toddlers (12-18 months)
1
Love You Head to Toe
by Ashley Barron
Bright collage art meets catchy rhymes in this diversity-embracing book, which can introduce babies to the verbs for their daily activities.
2
How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside by Kari Percival
Featuring a cast made up entirely of children, this empowering book shows babies the beauty of the outdoors via beautiful woodcut-inspired illustrations of a garden.
3
The Sun shines on the Jungle
by Michael Slack
Gorgeous illustrations and simple words introduce children to the jungle’s food chain and even encourage interaction with fun flaps.
Let us support your child’s early reading journey
Introducing your child to the world of books is a journey best embarked upon with support and guidance. At Star Learners, we’re here to help make that journey a seamless and enriching experience for both you and your child.
With our literature-based approach to learning, we offer a wide selection of award-winning books at every one of our centres. From infancy, our little learners are immersed in daily storytelling sessions, complementing your efforts at home to nurture their love for reading and language.
Discover how our unique approach to early childhood education can benefit your little one. Enquire with us today or register your interest for a virtual tour at any of our 44 Star Learners centres island-wide!
