Your toddler has a lot to learn.
Of course, reading books together helps your child develop literacy skills. But she’s also learning other subjects, too. Animal and nature books might kick off her first foray into the world of science. Shape books can show her how to look for circles, squares, and triangles in everyday objects. And there’s a whole world of art appreciation waiting in your collection of picture books!
You get to share an experience together.
You and your toddler sometimes have wildly different priorities. You’d like to check a few errands off your list, while she’d like to stay at the playground all afternoon. But reading can be a priority that you can both enjoy. You can enter new worlds together, and know that you’re helping your child learn.
How to Read to Your Eighteen-Month to Two-Year-Old
Read side by side.
Your toddler may enjoy time “reading” by himself, along with you. Let him choose a favorite book, bring your own reading material, and then cuddle up side by side. It may not last for long, but you’ll be starting a habit you never have to break.
Your toddler is eager to participate more actively in the reading you do together.
The book that was too much information for your nine-month-old may be just right for him now.
Introduce more complex books.
You’ve probably shared lots of books together that help your child learn the names of the objects all around her. Now it’s time to take a step up. Books that introduce concepts like "tomorrow" and "waiting" and "home" increase your child’s understanding of the things she sees and hears.
Play book games.
You can play “I Spy” while reading a book: “I see something blue and bumpy.” Or you might introduce a silly game where you misname familiar things and your child has to correct you. “That’s not a bus, it’s a baby!” “Hide and Seek” can be fun with a book, too. Take turns hiding books. When a book is found, you get to read it together.
Take-Away Reading Tips
- Look for books that reflect something your toddler is thinking about or experiencing, such as learning to share or dealing with separation.
- Reinforce your toddler’s first words. Choose longer stories that prominently feature those items, or other favorite things like airplanes or babies, and you'll have a toddler who sits still just a little longer.
- Expand your questions. Ask, “Why does the penguin baby cuddle up close to its daddy?" "When do you need to wear mittens?”
- Read together at mealtimes—you have a captive audience!
- Your reading time may never end if you stay on one page to answer all the “Why?” What’s that?” or “What happened?” questions your toddler asks. Three questions per page is a fair limit.
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