​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Materials: Your child’s favorite book and a stuffed animal. 

STEP 1

Did you know your child will learn to love reading because they love to hear your voice? Make reading part of your family’s bedtime or​ naptime routine to help your child grow. Have your child help pick the book. Use your local library to find new books.

STEP 2

Hold your child in your lap to start your bedtime or naptime routine. Tell your child that you will spend some time reading, looking at pictures on each page, and talk​ing to each other.

STEP 3​

Read the book to your child in a warm and loving voice. Make silly voices and have fun together. Use a stuffed animal to help you turn pages and ask questions. You are helping your child learn that reading is more than words on a page.

MAKE IT​ EASIER:

Start with books that have bright pictures for your child to see. Let them point at the page and show you what they like to look at. Talk about what you see on each page.

EXTEND THE LEA​RNING:

Have your child read the book back to you. They do not have to read the words like an adult. They can tell you what is happening on each page, show you their favorite part of the book, or ask you questions about what happens in the book.

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WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING?

Your child is learning to link reading with love and connection. Reading to a stuffed toy lets your child grow their imagination!

WHY?

Reading with your child will help grow their speech and language, as well as their pre- reading skills. It is also a great time to practice early literacy skills, such as naming the parts of a book and asking questions.​


parent reading to child