Reading to your toddler is one of the most rewarding experiences for both parent and child. Not only does it help foster early language skills, but it also strengthens your bond and lays the foundation for a lifelong love of books. Here are some tips to make storytime enjoyable and effective.

When should you start?

As soon as they are born! It may seem “silly” to read to your infant, but the truth is for language development reading to your baby is so important. From day 1! Research shows it helps bonding time by hearing the sound of your voice, and down the road better prepares kids to read for themselves, increases vocabulary, and even improves math skills.

Choose the Right Books

Look for books with bright pictures, simple text, and interactive elements like flaps or textures. Toddlers love repetition, so don’t be afraid to revisit favorites. Board books are a great option because they’re durable and easy for little hands to hold. Interactive books like touch/feel, lift/flap, and sound books are great to grab their attention. Books with bright colorful, simple pictures are best for this age. If a child is not interested in books, I usually can get them to “open” a flap on a lift-flap book and then move on to the next page. Sometimes, even watching me “open/close” the flap with a simple “boo!” or “open!” is all the “reading” I am doing, and this is completely fine! Try and meet your child where they are. Trust me over time having a positive experience will pay off.

Some of my favorite board books:

• Brown Bear Brown Bear
• Where’s Spot?
• Goodnight Moon
• Little Blue Truck
• The Hungry Caterpillar
• First 100 Words
• Moo, Baa, LaLaLa

Make Storytime a Routine

Consistency helps toddlers know what to expect. Try reading at the same time each day, such as before naps or bedtime. This routine can be calming and gives your child something to look forward to.

Engage Your Toddler

Encourage your child to participate by asking questions about the pictures or repeating phrases. Use different voices for characters and make sound effects to keep your toddler entertained. Point to words and illustrations as you read, helping your child connect spoken and written language.

Start out by simply flipping the pages, pointing to pictures while making up a few of your own words (a monkey!, ball, car goes beep beep). Let them hold the book and help you flip the pages.

Follow Your Child’s Lead

If your toddler wants to turn the page early, linger on a favorite picture, or even “read” the story themselves, go with it. The goal is to make reading a positive experience, so let your child’s interests guide you. I can’t stress this enough, the book doesn’t need to be read word for word, in fact sometimes I highly discourage it. A lot of books have way too many words and depending on your child’s developmental age it is better to name a few things on each page and keep moving.

Keep It Short and Sweet

Toddlers have short attention spans, so don’t worry if you only get through a few pages at a time. Even brief reading sessions are valuable and will add up over time. Building attention takes time and patience. I love the “one more strategy” for this. When they are approaching their threshold, use the words “one more” or “last page” and after you complete that page say “all done!” and end the activity. It is way better to end on a positive note verses trying to force more pages and both you and your toddler become frustrated.

Model a Love of Reading

Show your enthusiasm for books! Let your child see you reading and talk about stories together. This reinforces that reading is fun and important.

Making storytime a cherished part of your daily routine will help your toddler develop strong language skills and a lifelong love of books. Enjoy these moments—they’ll be treasured for years to come.

What are some of your favorite children books? Let me know in the comments!

Have a question about your child’s reading time? Need help brainstorming how too make it go more smoothly? Head over to Contact Me section shoot me an email…your question will stay anonymous.