Why Reading Is Important
Your toddler is learning new words.
The more books you read to your toddler, the more words she’ll learn. It’s just that simple.
Your toddler needs security.
After your toddler has spent the day running away from you, he’ll be comforted to know that your bedtime reading ritual hasn’t changed. Reading together can fulfill your independent toddler’s need to feel safe and loved.
Your toddler is connecting to her culture.
You may not associate “culture” with a board book. But the characters in all the books you read together will help shape your child’s view of the world. Through books, she sees that lots of families do the same things hers does, from breakfast to bedtime. You’re introducing her to the culture that will become her own, and to other cultures as well!
How to Read to Your Twelve- to Eighteen-Month-Old
Point and say.
There’s no need to read every story word for word. In fact, you may choose to ignore the story altogether. If your toddler loves to imitate your speech sounds, just point to objects on each page and name them. Soon, she’ll be doing the same.
Books with lots of action words can give a fidgety child an opportunity to move around.
Toddlers are fascinated with language, so it’s a great time to introduce some longer stories to your routine.
Add some activity.
Reading doesn’t always have to be a quiet or cuddly event, especially with a toddler who wants to get up and go all the time. Get your toddler moving by asking him to act out a story while you read it aloud, or get up and grab a new book every time. It doesn’t matter if you get to the end— it’s the reading at all that counts.
Ask questions.
Encourage your toddler to think about the story and the pictures. You might point to a cow and say, “What do you think the cow will do?” You can also relate the story to objects and events in your child’s world, by asking questions like, “What toys do you play with in the bath?”
Take-Away Reading Tips
- Read your toddler’s favorite book — again and again and again! Exact repetition is comforting at this age.
- Look for books filled with animal pictures and practice making animal sounds together.
- Let your baby read to you. Listen, smile, and laugh as she points and babbles.
- Find books that feature one of your toddler’s favorite words, such as blanket or cat, and encourage her to say the word with you.
- Keep a book in your child’s stroller or near his car seat. It’s the perfect portable toy!
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