Reading Tips - For Toddlers

The world of a toddler is all about movement and action. With their short attention spans and constant need for different stimulating experiences, it can be hard to get them to sit still and pay attention throughout reading time. However, it important to realize that quiet reading time isn’t the only way to practice literacy skills with your little one. We have some tips for ways to keep reading interesting, and to make sure that the books you read together are engaging your child. Try out a new tip each week and find out what works best for your child!Set realistic expectations for reading time behavior- Toddlers typically feel the need to constantly keep moving, so don’t be surprised if they tumble, skip or wander as you read aloud to them. Although they aren’t sitting still, they are still listening!Sing songs, repeat rhymes, and make mistakes on purpose! – Once your child is familiar with a song, rhyme, or phrase, pause and let them finish it for you. When this becomes easy, makes mistakes on purpose and let them correct you. They will be quick to catch you if you say something incorrectly!Choose engaging books to read together- Books with flaps, pop-ups, or different textures welcome kids to touch them and are great for keeping hands busy. Stories about animals, transportation, or machines give an opportunity to make sounds and movements along with the story. Books with detailed illustrations, hidden pictures or recurring images invite exploration and discussion.Keep reading time short, simple and frequent- Toddlers often have even shorter attention spans than babies, so look for stories that are short and easy to understand. It can be effective to read just a little bit, several times a day. Try spreading out one story over a day or two to keep their interest.Encourage naming, describing, and communicating during play time- Examples might include setting up a zoo with all the stuffed animals with your child as the zookeeper or veterinarian, asking each animal what ails them. Another may be staging a big race with toy cars. Put your toddler in charge and keep asking them lots of questions!Pick stories about everyday characters and adventures- Every day is an adventure as a toddler, so they will relate to characters that are going through everyday emotions and experiences. Your child will identify with people in the story as they eat, dress, explore, nap, play and get ready for bed.Ask questions while you read- Take time to pause from the story and ask your child what he or she thinks. Listen carefully and patiently to their answers. Toddlers have interesting ideas and sometimes strong opinions, so talking with them will build their language skills and tell you how they view the world.Play to their favorites- Don’t get frustrated with reading a favorite story over and over again. These kinds of books can extend a toddler’s attention span and build a lasting enthusiasm for reading. Seek out books about things that your child especially likes, whether it’s trains, bugs, sports, or the moon.Don’t be afraid to try something else if they aren’t having fun! Try a different story, a different time of day, or a different location. Reading with toddlers is truly about building positive reading experiences and fostering a love of books, not finishing every book you start. Shake things up if they are bored or unhappy with reading time!Just because your toddler wants to run, scream and keep moving doesn’t mean they aren’t ready for reading skills. Starting to build their literacy skills at an early age is essential for them to be successful in school and in life as they grow. If you can use these tips to make books fun and engaging for your little one, they may surprise you with a growing love of reading and knowledge that will stick with them for life!The information in this article has been adapted from Colorin Colorado and Reading Rockets.