Benefits of Reading to Toddlers

The first three years of life is crucial as the brain is absorbing various amounts of information while the brain develops and matures. Language begins as young as infancy through cooing and grows into words and sentences. Benefits of reading to toddlers ranges from the bonding relationship between parent and child to the essential needs they learn from the books. Through reading independently and reading with your child, they will be able to develop their language and learn concepts such as colors, shapes, animals, daily essentials, noises, textures, letters, and much more. Reading with your child builds a sense of bonding from one-on-one interaction and the parents can learn their child's interests as well as what the child already knows and can recognize. New words and concepts are learned through reading and looking at the pages of books. As children listen to stories over and over they begin to repeat what they are hearing and apply that to everyday life. Books are an excellent source of teaching children new concepts such brushing your teeth, potty training, sharing and more. Studies have shown that children who read with their parents as young as toddlers are better readers once they enter Kindergarten. Benefits of reading to toddlers is everlasting and stays with the child for the rest their lives as part of their growing process. Reading with your child is the best way to increase vocabulary and learn new concepts which builds and promotes the development of the child.

Tips and Advice on How to Read with Your Child:

1. Read the same book over and over. Repetitiveness of a story will stick with a child, and they will learn through hearing the same words more than once.

2. Ask your child questions and point out things about the story depending on their stage of development. "Look at the purple flower." "Where's the puppy?" "What sound does a cat make?"

3. Use puppets and toys to interact the child with the story that relates to what you are reading.

4. Make the book fun! Become the character in the story using different and silly voices.

5. Praise your child for pointing out objects and answering your questions. Good job! You found the blue car!

6. Board books are great for toddlers because they cannot rip the pages. Toddlers also enjoy flap books because they can interact with the story and find the hiding objects, and feel different textures.

7. Create a reading routine by choosing and setting up a daily time to read with your child.

8. Create a cozy environment with pillows, blankets, and your child's favorite toy before reading.

9. If the story is a song, don't be afraid to sing it! Songs and rhymes are easy for children to remember.

10. If the story can use actions such as wiggle your arms or shake your feet, encourage your child to do these actions.




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