Reading to your child is one of the BEST things that you can do for them while they are young.
There are not a ton of activities that actually build skills in all areas of development, but reading books is one of them.
Let’s take a closer look at the skills that are enhanced while reading before we get into the top reading tips for toddlers.
Reading to Toddlers Benefits: Early Literacy Development
Build Cognitive Skills
Your child learns about new topics that interest them from the world of books.
They learn to process information from listening to someone read. Letters and numbers are introduced through reading simple books.
Sequencing and problem solving skills are also mastered with books.
Encourage Toddler Language Development
Children are introduced to tons of new words during story time.
Children need to hear words MANY times in order to repeat them. Reading gives them lots of practice when it comes to hearing new vocabulary.
This is one of the BEST ways to boost toddler speech and grow vocabulary.
Motor Skill Refinement
You may wonder how motor skills make the list…but they are definitely enhanced when reading!
Every time your little one turns a page or points to a picture they are refining their smaller motor skills that they will someday use for writing.
Social Emotional Development
One of my favorite ways to teach toddler social skills is through books. Stories teach us all about emotions.
When you look at pictures of characters their expressions teach us about feelings as well.
There are lots of opportunities to teach children about social skills while reading a bedtime story.
Self Help Skills
Self help skills are what make children become independent.
Books display lots of information about how to become independent such as potty training or cleaning up toys.
If there is a topic that your child needs to learn more about…books will teach them it!
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Reading Tips for Parents of Toddlers
Early Literacy Tips: Follow Your Child’s Lead
When you are reading with a toddler it is best to follow their lead. They may not want to look at the book from start to finish and that is ok.
Do not feel like you have to “read” every page in a book to your little one to make it a worthwhile experience.
You want your child to be engaged in the book and this means they may only want to look at one specific page or they may flip through quickly.
Instead of reading the story just label a few pictures or let them tell you what they see for a change.
Let Them “Read” the Book
Instead of you reading the book, let them read it to you.
Let them hold and handle it and show you what they are interested in. There is no need for lots of prompting.
Just hand the book to them and see where they go with it.
If they point out pictures that they are interested in and don’t have the words for them yet then label them.
Repeat What They Say
If your child is starting to talk and label pictures then take this time to enhance their language skills by repeating what they say.
This will help to clear up their speech by giving them exposure to hearing words correctly.
You do not need to tell them that they are saying a word wrong, just simply repeat a word so that they can hear it.
After a while you may notice that your child will then repeat you and say the word correctly fixing their mistakes.
Growing Phrases
When your child labels a picture in a book add a word onto what they say.
For example, if your child says “duck” , you then say “yellow duck.”
By using this strategy you are helping to clarify their speech while expanding their sentences and their vocabulary.
Pick Interesting Books
Picking books that your child enjoys will help keep them be engaged during story time.
If you need some ideas on how to pick out books your toddler will love, then check out this past post on how to select a book your toddler will love.
You can also give magazines a try!
Magazines (like these) offer a completely different literary experience to young children.
Once you are done reading the magazine make sure you save them for crafts later on or cutting practice with scissors when they are a bit older.
Model Reading Skills
Have you ever noticed that your toddler wants to do everything you are doing?
Take advantage of this and read books and magazines in front of your child.
We often times find ourselves grabbing our phones for those short breaks we get.
Instead of that, grab a something to read and your little one may just go the same!
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How to Read Children’s Books Aloud
Sometimes parents get caught up on how they should sound when they read a book to their child.
Really…it doesn’t matter! Just relax and have fun with it.
You can make silly voices for the characters if you want, but you don’t have to.
The important thing is that you are spending time with your toddler and teaching them SO MUCH by just the act of reading out loud.
Don’t get too frustrated if they don’t pay attention for a whole story.
Toddlers attention spans are very short.
How long should a child read each day?
I would say at least 10 minutes for toddlers. If you can only do 5 minutes that’s ok too!
Try to work reading and book time in with your daily routines.
Bedtime is a great time to snuggle up and read a story.
Upon waking can be a good time as well.
Letting your child look at books while they are in the car can be a great way to allow them some independent reading time.
Just make sure the books that you give them are age appropriate.
If they are still ripping pages then make sure it is a sturdy or cloth book that they have so they can’t wreck it.
Audio books (you can get some here) can also be a great option in the car.
Best Books for Toddlers
Go with what your toddler is interested in when picking out books. Here is a list of some of my FAVORITE books for toddlers!
Click on any book image to learn more about it.
This book is one of my favorites because of the real life pictures!
You can also check out the box set version HERE.
This has been a favorite at our house for a long time! Eric Carle’s books teach colors, numbers, and rhyme!
They are always at the top of my list. You can check more of his books out HERE.
Touch and feel books can be a good way to pull in a busy toddler.
These sensory books make reading fun. You can check them out HERE.
Grab your FREE Milestone Guide HERE.
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4 Simple Ways to Boost Your Toddler’s Vocabulary
Social Emotional Development Activities for Toddlers
Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.