LA T1.04First Books with Realistic Pictures
The adult looks at sturdy books with realistic pictures of familiar things with the infant and names what is on each page.
Safety
- Use board or cloth books with no parts that can come off (flaps, buttons, sewn-on eyes) and fit the small parts test cylinder (1.25 in. × 2.25 in.).
- Remove books with torn or peeling pages, because infants mouth books.
- No e-books or reading apps; the AAP advises no screen media before 18 months except video chat.
Presentation
- 1
Choose a time when the infant is fed and alert. Hold the infant on your lap, or lie beside them on their tummy on the mat, with the book where both of you can see it.
- 2
Hold the book open with one picture facing the infant, about 20–30 cm (8–12 in.) from their eyes.
- 3
Point to the picture and name it in a sentence: "This is a cup. You drink from a cup."
- 4
Wait and watch where the infant looks. Talk about what they look at, not only what you chose.
- 5
Turn the page slowly. Let the infant touch, pat, or mouth the book; board books are made to be handled.
- 6
Where the real object is nearby, hold it next to the picture: "Here is your cup. Here is the cup in the book." This is the point of interest: the infant looks from the object to the picture.
- 7
Stop when the infant looks away or pushes the book off. Read the same books many times before replacing them.
- 8
Leave the books where the infant can reach them on the mat or a low shelf, so they can pick one up on their own.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- A small board-book photo album of the infant's family, caregivers, and familiar places
- Books with a short sentence on each page about a familiar routine: eating, bathing, going outside
- The older infant turns the thick pages
- The child points to a picture when the adult asks, "Where is the dog?" (from about 12 months)
Control of error
None in the material. The adult watches where the infant looks and follows their attention.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Looks at the pictures while the adult names them
- Reaches for, pats, or turns thick pages
- Brings a book to the adult or crawls to the book basket
- Looks at or points to a named picture when asked (from about 12–15 months)
Guide note
Montessori sources prefer realistic books for children under three and leave fantasy (talking animals, animals in clothes, magic) for later, because young children are still learning what is real. Many popular board books use cartoon or dressed animals, and mainstream US guidance does not make this distinction. Read books in the family's home language; a family member can write the home-language word for each picture on the page so staff can use it too.