What is the practice?

Toddlers begin to learn about how to read a book when looking at and talking about the words that make up a story with an adult. This exploration of books helps toddlers understand that printed letters and words have meaning.

Mother reading to child

What does the practice look like?

Helping your toddler understand that the printed materials (pictures, letters, and words) in a book have meaning happens when you talk with your child while pointing out pictures, words, or letters that match what you are saying. Asking your child to point to the picture of her favorite animal while you fnd and point to the word that labels the animal is an example of this practice.

How do you do the practice?

Most days present many opportunities for sharing a book with your toddler. Before a nap or while waiting for dinner to cook are good times to have some of your toddler’s favorite books available.

  • Be sure the books are of interest to your child. Toddlers always seem to have one or two favorite books which you can have available, but you can supply some new books about things that she likes.
  • Let your toddler be the leader in this reading adventure. Ask her which book she wants to read.

    • How do you know the practice worked?

    • Does your toddler notice the printed words or letters as you talk about them?
    • Does your toddler seem to enjoy looking at books with words?
    • Does your child point to letters and words, trying to say them?
  • As you talk about the book, point to pictures, words, or letters and tell your child, “This word is dog. Can you show me the picture of the dog?” Or “This letter is A. That is the frst letter of your name, Albert.”
  • When you are reading a sentence, put your fnger under the words you are reading. This helps your toddler learn that our words are read starting at the left side of the page and moving to the right.
  • Occasionally point to a letter like B and tell your toddler that “This letter is a B and it makes the Bbb sound, like in the word baby.” Ask her to say ba or baby. This helps her begin to make the connection between letters and their sounds.
  • As you “read” the book, let your child hold the book and turn the pages. Don’t worry if pages get skipped. With a toddler, reading every page is not necessary. Letting your child hold the book and explore it encourages her active participation in the reading experience.
  • Smiling and commenting on her exploration of the book or attempts to answer your questions shows her that she did well. A little encouragement will help keep her involved in the activity.

More looking at books with your toddler

Reading While Waiting

Devonne, age 25 months, and her mom often fnd themselves waiting. They may be waiting at a doctor’s appointment or at the laundromat for the clothes to fnish washing. Devonne’s mom always has a few of her daughter’s favorite zoo books with them. She will pull them out and let Devonne pick the one she wants frst. Mom asks her, “What is the picture on the cover?” and points to the word zoo in the title. Devonne turns the page and Mom points to the word zoo when she reads it. Mom keeps reading the book as Devonne asks questions and points to the letters and words until she gets tired of reading.

Bookstore Time

T wo-year-old Tamsin, her mom, and her big brother, David, often enjoy browsing at a neighborhood used-book store. Today Mom tells the children they may each select two books to buy and take home. Together they look at picture books in the children’s section. As they look at a book to decide if they want it, their mom reads the title aloud while she points to each word. She encourages Tamsin and David to repeat the title. They explore each book, looking at the pictures and pointing to the words to see what the book is about. Finally the children make their selections and excitedly take their new books to the front to pay for them.

A Touch of Reading

Though 20-month-old Max has a moderate visual impairment, his mom often reads with him using books made of different materials or with different textures. One of Max’s favorite books has a picture of an apple that is very smooth. Max touches the ap- ple and his mom says, “It’s an apple that looks good enough to eat.” She then takes his hand and helps him feel the Braille words embossed on the page. Max’s mom helps him touch the Braille letter A, and tells him that this is the letter A, the frst letter in the word apple.