Read regularly. Try to spend a few minutes with books each day. Your baby won’t understand for a while, but that’s fine. They will hear your voice, see the pictures, and develop good feelings about books.
Baby books. Board books with hard covers and thick pages are made especially for babies. Choose books that are short and have simple, bright pictures.
Snuggle up. Make reading a special time to connect with your baby. Hold them in your lap so they feel cozy and can see the pictures.
Follow their lead. When your baby starts to lose interest, try another book or stop. Short periods of reading will work best.
Show your interest. When you read, make an effort to show how interesting the story is to you using your voice and facial expressions. Say “I want to know what happens on the next page!”
Describe the pictures. It’s not important to read all—or even any—of the words. Point to the pictures and describe the colors, shapes, and what the characters are doing. Respond to the ways your child engages with the story.
Involve them. Your baby might want to hold the book, turn the pages, or pat the pictures. They might even chew on the book. It’s all part of learning! Talk in response to the ways they engage with the story.
Have a routine. Try to read together every day. Before bed is a great time to read, but choose a time of day that works best for your family.
Change your voice. Make the book extra interesting by trying different voices for different characters.
Show your interest. When you read, make an effort to show how interesting the story is to you using your voice and facial expressions. Say “I want to know what happens on the next page!”
Don’t be too serious. Your toddler may want to turn the page before you have finished reading it or tell their own version of the story. Be a good listener and follow their lead. It’s ok if they can’t sit still for the whole book.
Act it out. Your child might be inspired to play based on the stories you read. Can they follow the character’s actions? What toys or objects might serve as props?
Make connections. Help your child make personal connections to the stories you read. For example, “Do you remember when we saw the fire truck? How did it sound? It was loud! Remember?”
Ask questions. “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why is the girl happy?” Respond to your child’s comments and questions. Show your interest in their ideas.
Warm up. Before you open the book, check out the cover. Read the title. Look at the pictures. Ask your child what they think the story is about.
Help them follow along. Point to the words and pictures. Talk about the colors, shapes, and what the characters are doing and thinking.
Look for letters. Look for letters when you’re with your child. Try to find the first letter in their name. See how many places you can find it while reading, or on packaging or signs.
Make a card. Help your child make cards for loved ones. Fold the paper and give them some crayons or markers to decorate. Deliver the card or help them put it in the mailbox.
Re-read. Toddlers learn through repetition, so it is normal when they want to read a favorite book over and over. Notice how proud they feel when they master the story. But try for variety too, because new books offer new things to see and learn.
Have a routine. Try to read together every day. Before bed is a great time to read, but choose a time of day that works best for your family.
Change your voice. Make the book extra interesting by trying different voices for different characters.
Pause for new words. Books are a great way to learn new words, so pause to talk about words your child doesn’t know. “That’s a ‘beetle.’ It’s a type of bug.”
Ask questions that don’t have “yes” or “no” answers. “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why is the girl happy?” After asking, wait 5 seconds before saying anything else. This gives your child time to think and
respond.
Talk about feelings. When you read a story together, point to a person in the book and ask, “How is he feeling?” When your child responds, ask if they have a guess about why. They can look for clues in the pictures.
Make connections. Help your child make personal connections to the stories you read. For example, “Do you remember when we made soup? What did we put in our soup?”
Warm up. Before you open the book, check out the cover. Read the title. Look at the pictures. Ask your child what they think the story is about.
Name game. Write the first letter of your child’s name largely on a piece of paper. They can place stickers or blocks on your lines (it’s also fine if they go off the lines!). Try other letters in their name.
Look for letters. Out in public? Find items with labels, like a TRASH CAN, and encourage your child to identify the letters they know and sound out the word.
Switch roles. Pick a book that you and your child have read several times. This time, have them “read” the story to you. They can describe what is happening in the pictures.
Tell family stories. Take five minutes to talk about a favorite memory with your child. What parts do they remember? Find a picture to go with it! You can make the story silly.
