Enjoying Books With Your Toddler

Enjoying books with your toddler
Information for parents
Toddlers love and need books

Reading and talking about what you are reading is very important for
toddlers. They learn about different experiences through books, and this
helps toddlers make sense of the world. Singing songs and saying nursery rhymes are also very
important. Remember, it’s never too early to develop an interest in and love of reading. Go to
www.ncca.ie/aisteartoolkit for a list of suitable books for toddlers.
Choosing the right book

experiences and feelings. They
Toddlers love picture books especially those about everyday
dress, eat, visit, nap, become toilet trained,
will identify with the characters in the book as they
books
go to the doctor, play and visit the park. You can also use picture
ready for a
to introduce new experiences – maybe to help get
new baby, a visit to the hospital or for starting pre-school.
Read the book yourself first to see if it is suitable for your child.
love
A scary book might terrify one child while another child will
it and plead for it to be read again and again! You will know
on.
what your child likes and what will capture his or her attenti
Different books suit different times of the day. Children often

like to make sounds or move about during an exciting story.
For example, books about transport or about animals might
e
have them joining in with sound effects or movements. Choos
a good way to
more soothing stories for bedtime as stories are
wind down and end the day.
for toddlers.
Books that include rhymes, songs and repetition are also great
child joins in. Toddlers
These are fun to read aloud especially when your
books are really good for this age
also love finding hidden things, so lift-the-flap
items hidden in the pictures
group. Books with detailed pictures or recurring
are also great for discovering and exploring.
Tips for reading with your toddler
Toddlers love to take part, so pause to let your child finish a phrase or chant a
refrain from a familiar story.
Toddlers can read They also like to point things out. Ask questions like, Where is …? Can you find
too! the …? Soon your toddler will be happily pointing to something on each page.
Sometimes reading the book could entail simply asking your toddler to find
things; you might not get around to reading the actual words at all!
There are times when toddlers will sit very happily and listen to a story. At other
times they may need to move as they listen but don’t worry if your child skips,
runs or tumbles as you read. They may be moving, but they are also listening.
I am listening!
Your ‘reading aloud voice’ needs to keep your toddler’s attention so vary your
tone and moo, bark and honk if the story needs it! Look for stories that are
short and easily understood. Read a little bit a few times a day.
The first time you read the book talk about the pictures on the cover and ask
your toddler to predict (think about and say) what the story might be about. The
cover picture usually gives a clue.
Look at the cover
of the book Tell your toddler the title (name) of the book, the name of the author (the
person who wrote the book) and the name of the illustrator (the person who
drew the pictures) and do this often so your toddler becomes familiar with
these terms.
Spend time exploring the pictures and talking about them. Instead of reading
the words in the book, talk about the pictures as these are often much more
Look at the important than the words.
pictures Sometimes it is the picture that tells the story and if you only look at the words
you will miss the point of the story. For example in Rosie’s walk the words
never mention the fox but he is near Rosie in all of the pictures!
Take time to listen to your toddler’s opinions and ideas. Try not to ask
Ask me
questions that need a yes/no, right or wrong answer. Instead, encourage your
interesting
toddler to tell you what he or she thinks about the book: Why do you think …
questions I wonder how …
Sometimes it is nice to add a prop to make the story more interesting. For
example you could have a torch for Can’t you sleep little bear or some pieces of
Add a prop
fruit for The very hungry caterpillar. The pictures in the book will give you lots
of ideas for suitable props.
It’s a good idea to start reading as part of the bedtime routine. Once your
Give me a nice toddler has been fed, bathed and is ready to settle down, he/she will be less
bedtime story interested in handling the book and more likely to listen to you reading a story
routine in a nice gentle voice.
Above all, enjoy

reading together!

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Enjoying Books With Your Toddler

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Enjoying books with your toddler

Information for parents

Toddlers love and need books

Choosing the right book

Different books suit different times of the day. Children often

Above all, enjoy

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