Help your baby or toddler get ready to read

Parents as teachers

Children learn best by doing things - and they love doing things with you! Reading together will help your baby:

Begin when your child is born.
Set aside a special time each day, such as nap time, bedtime, or after meals.
Share a book with your baby every day. Twenty minutes is ideal, but even just a few minutes will make a difference.
Share books when you both need some quiet time.
Bring a book when you know you'll be waiting: at the doctor's office, bus stop, out to dinner, etc.
Find books that connect to something in real life, for example: dogs barking, going to the zoo, fire trucks.

Turn off distractions - television, radio, or stereo.
Have your child pick the books to read.
Re-read your child's favorite books whenever asked.
Hold you baby in your lap; show your baby the book.
Interact with the book and your baby: point to pictures, ask your child to point out objects in the pictures, talk together about the story, pictures, or the book. ("Look what's on the back cover!")
Point to the pictures of words as you read, or ask your child to point out objects in the pictures.
Read aloud in your most dramatic voice.
Let your baby play with the book if he or she wants to.
Stop when your baby loses interest or gets upset. Try again later.

Talk with your baby about what is going on around you.
When your baby or toddler "talks" to you, listen carefully, and answer. Don't worry if you misunderstood!
Speak in the language most comfortable for you.
Tell your child stories.
Encourage your toddler to tell you stories. Listen closely and ask questions about the stories.
Tell your child nursery rhymes or make up rhymes.
Sing songs to your baby or toddler.
Have the alphabet available to play with in blocks, magnets, foam shapes, or pasta.

Most importantly: Have fun!