Each developmental stage in a child’s life is unique and comes with its own milestones, opens a new window. Infants, opens a new window range in age from birth to one year old. The library can play an important role in supporting families with infants. Palo Alto City Library offers both materials and activities to support this age group.
Books
What types of books are best for infants?
- Board books are durable, have rounded corners, and will last longer than standard picture books.
- Did you know? Board books have thick, sturdy pages not just for durability, but also to help infants develop their pincer grasp, opens a new window by making it easier to turn pages.
- Look for board books with high-contrast pictures, bright colors, and fun rhymes or repetition. There are tons out there, so go with ones you like too—it'll make reading together something you both enjoy and want to keep doing.
- Not sure where to start? Explore these curated board book lists, each tailored to a different stage of your baby’s first year:
Programs
Our weekly Little Ones Storytime, opens a new window is targeted to children under the age of two and their caregivers.
- This storytime includes a variety of early literacy activities such as stories, songs, rhymes, and movement activities including baby lap sit songs and finger rhymes. Storytime is a fun and interactive experience for the whole family that promotes the joys of reading and learning for infants.
- Many songs and rhymes are repeated at these storytimes because repetition helps in language development.
- Read more about how to get the most out of storytime, opens a new window.
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