Tips: Help Your Toddler Fall in Love with Reading

In one week, my son will officially have moved out of the toddler stage. (Sniff, sniff.) It has been amazing to see how much he has grown and changed. Reading together has been such an important part of this stage of our parent-child relationship.

Whether your toddler seems uninterested in reading, or it's her favorite thing to do, here are a few suggestions to guide your reading time:

Last night my son asked to get into bed 30 minutes early so we could have extra reading time. Woo hoo!

• Read slowly enough that your child can absorb the pictures on the page as well as what you've read. It may help to pause for a mental count of two at the end of each sentence.
• Don't worry if your toddler won't sit still for reading time; she's still listening. Let her move around as much as she needs to, or even encourage her to act out a part of the story.
• Toddlers are at a stage where they are labeling everything in their world. Choose books that show everyday items and experiences. Point to objects on the page and say their names, and then invite your child to repeat them.

My Big Barefoot Book of Wonderful Words is perfect for helping a toddler label his world.

• Don't worry about finishing every book you start. Reading during the toddler years is primarily about creating a positive association with books and reading. Forcing your child to read a book she doesn't like will detract from that purpose.
• Select books that give your child ways to engage. Try lift the flap books or select books with textures to touch. When you read books about animals or machines, encourage her to make the noises they make. Choose books with detailed illustrations that give you lots of things to label and discuss.

Books with detailed illustrations, like Bear's Birthday by Stella Blackstone, give your toddler lots to ask about.

• Model that reading is fun for both boys and girls by being sure that men and women in your child's life read to them. Since so many daycare and preschool teachers are women, and mothers often take on reading responsibilities at home, children may get the mistaken idea that reading is just for girls.
• To continue helping your child label his world, make your own picture book. Take family photos and pictures of typical things in your child's everyday environment. Add simple labels and captions to make your book.
• While you may tire of reading the same book repeatedly, immersing herself in a book repeatedly helps your child reinforce what she is learning. Remember that everything is still new to her, so she needs lots of practice!
• Respond to your child's questions while reading. If they relate to the story, answer them right away. If they do not, let him know it's a good question, and that you'll come back to it at the end of the story. Do everything you can to encourage your child's curiosity rather than squelch it.
• Before you read a new book, take a picture walk through the story without reading the words. Ask  your child what she thinks this book will be about.
• When you read aloud, use plenty of expression. Use different voices for characters when you can. Remember that read aloud is your child's first theater!

What other tips do you have for creating a love of reading among toddlers?