How young is too young to begin reading to and introducing new sounds and words to your baby? One mom says they should be learning from the time they’re born.

Dawn Burnside and her 9-month-old son, Langston-Love Justice, are frequent visitors for “Baby Time” at the Newburgh Free Library.

“He loves it,” Burnside said.

About two months ago, Burnside began bringing her son there as a way for him to meet other babies and play in an open space. She said it’s turned into a great learning experience.

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something right, ’cause babies should be happy. They should have fun. They should be able to explore. That's why we love coming here where he can run and, you know, be free, crawl free. He's not running yet, but he can crawl free,” Burnside said.

Sara Scoggan, the early childhood librarian at the Newburgh Free Library, has been teaching this class and others to children in several age groups for seven years. She’s found her true passion with the youngest bunch.

“I feel like I’m really giving them hopefully fun in the moment, but also a chance to really grow, connect with them and connect with their families,” Scoggan said.

During “Baby Time,” the little ones get used to following words through hearing nursery rhymes, and they learn rhythm by using shakers.

Scoggan said reading is also extremely important, even for infants. According to the National Library of Medicine, the time period between term birth and 2 years old is when the brain is rapidly developing.

“You don't have to be afraid to read to a baby. You may think, ‘well, they're only a few months old,’ but they are getting something out of it,” Scoggan said. “Reading over and over is building up those brain cells.”

Burnside is an avid reader herself and reads to Langston every night. She said seeing her son learn is an incomparable feeling.

“I love it. I feel like he has a great mind, and there's nothing that he can't do,” Burnside said.

Parents and babies are learning from one another at this library.

“Every kid is different, so there's not one way to do this thing. So, everybody has a different way of learning and playing, but right now, it's really about having a good time,” Burnside said.

The Newburgh Free Library encourages families to read 1,000 books, including repeats, before their child enters kindergarten as part of a national campaign to influence early literacy.