| There are some really good reasons to read to | | | | You might find it difficult to catch a toddler long |
| children of all ages and ways to encourage literacy | | | | enough to have them sit to read a book. That is |
| even in small children. Reading is a great reason to | | | | because they are so busy and have so much to |
| turn off the TV and instill learning and confidence | | | | do! It is best to catch a toddler when they are |
| into a child while igniting their imagination. | | | | not interested in a new toy or when hungry or |
| Reading is an important way to bond with babies. | | | | tired. Toddlers love small books that fit their |
| It also promotes language development and | | | | hands. |
| listening skills. Touchy-feely books provide sensory | | | | Reading to toddlers helps develop their speech |
| stimulation. Colorful books help develop senses in | | | | patterns. They learn new words which instills |
| even very young babies. Trying providing cloth, | | | | confidence and grows their imagination. Toddlers |
| vinyl and board books for babies to explore. Early | | | | also love repetition so you might just find they |
| "reading" may look like chewing as babies explore | | | | have a favorite book which they want read over |
| things with their mouths. Try reading simple books | | | | and over to them. Find opportune moments to |
| about household items, such as kitty, ball, | | | | read to your toddler which can be anywhere: the |
| mommy, etc. Reading while cuddling with your | | | | sandbox, while eating a meal, in the bath. They |
| baby is a great way to connect reading with | | | | also like books where they have to "find the |
| pleasure. Be sure to respond to their | | | | mouse" such as in Usborne Books "That's Not My" |
| "conversation" to encourage their responses. Be | | | | series which has a little white mouse hidden on |
| prepared to only capture their attention for a few | | | | every page for the child to find. |
| minutes at a time at the baby stage. | | | | Instilling the love of reading into a child is one of |
| Babies mostly like books with familiar items in | | | | the greatest gifts you can give the children in |
| baby's world, books with animal sounds, | | | | your life. A child's imagination is a precious thing to |
| touchy-feely books with different textures, books | | | | be nurtured. Books can transport children to |
| with bright colors and bold pictures, as well as | | | | far-away places and open up their world to |
| books with lullabies and rhymes/poetry. | | | | learning. |