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Reading To Toddlers

Reasons to read to toddlers

Reading is one of the best exposures to language you toddler can get. Children that have been actively exposed to language have educational and social advantages over their peers.

Toddlers must be read to in order for them to develop the skills needed to read to themselves. But before they can read independently, they need early literacy skills. These include:

  • Having a large vocabulary of words and knowing how to use them
  • Understanding that words are made up of smaller sounds (called phonemic awareness)
  • Understanding that marks on a page represent letters and words
  • Knowing the letters of the alphabet

Simply reading to your child as often as possible is the best way to help him or her learn these skills.

Helping the transition to toddlerhood

Reading aloud to toddlers will help them transition from babyhood. Between the ages of 1-3 your toddler will be starting to go through personal experiences and may benefit from hearing similar experiences being read aloud - potty training, fears, family, play time etc.

Letters, shapes, colors, weather, animals, seasons all start to feature in your toddlers vocabulary - all of which can be reinforced through books. Choose ones with pictures that your child can point to and name.

When and how to read to toddlers

Read to toddlers as often as possible, at least once a day. Choosing regular times to read (especially before naps and bedtime) helps toddlers learn to sit with a book and relax.

If your toddler will let you, hold him or her in your lap when you read to help them feel safe and relaxed and to invite their participation.

Offer three or four books for your toddler to choose from to help make them feel independent. Praise their selection, and ask them to help you by letting them turn pages and finding things on a page. Rhymes and repetitive phrasing will encourage your toddler to finish sentences.

Here are some additional reading tips:

  • Read whatever books your toddler asks for, even if it's the same book every night for weeks and weeks (and weeks and weeks).
  • Read slowly enough for your toddler to understand.
  • Read expressively, using different voices for different characters and raising or lowering your voice as appropriate.
  • Encourage your toddler to clap or sing when you read rhythmic, sing-song books.
  • Talk about the illustrations. Point to items and name them. Then ask your child to name them with you and offer enthusiastic praise.
  • Ask open-ended questions - "What do you think will happen next?" This encourages your child to think about the story and to ask questions.
  • Substitute your child's name for the name of a character in the book.
  • Have fun! Show your child that reading is enjoyable.

Choosing books for toddlers

Choose books they can follow along with, especially those with repetitive text so they can fill in words and feel included and competent. Pick books on topics that you know will interest them.

For younger toddlers (12 to 24 months) you'll want sturdy board books with pictures (especially photos) of kids doing the things they do every day. Books about bedtime, baths, or mealtime are all good choices; so are books about saying hello or good-bye. Keep active hands busy with lift-the-flap pages and textures to feel.

Toddlers from 24 to 36 months are beginning to be able to turn paper pages, so this is a good time to expand beyond board books. They're also beginning to understand the mechanics of reading and like books that are repetitive and easy to memorize so that they can "read" along.

Ask a librarian at your local library for recommendations for your toddler. Preschool Storytimes are on weekly at all Wellington City Libraries and are excellent for exposing your toddler to books and reading.

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