Reading with your toddler, actually let’s face it doing anything with a toddler, can sometimes be tricky! Their curious independence and new found movement skills means your toddler is not as easy to read to as they once were. Herein lies the challenge but also the joy. Your toddler will play a much more active role in your reading time. Favourite books, songs, pointing, reading to their toys, and trying to eat the books are all to come when you are reading to your 1 to 3 year old. Here are our top 5 tips for reading with your toddler:
1.Keep it short
You may find that sitting for a long period of time is not an option. Keep stories short or read just a few pages at a time. Let them lead you on how long they want to read for, they may just want to look at their favourite page.
2. Get moving
Toddlers are full of energy. Bashing, banging, crawling, rolling and playing are all high on their agenda. You and your little one can act out expressions or actions from the books while reading to make the experience more immersive.
3. Encourage your toddler turn the pages or hold the book
From about 18 months your toddler will want to turn the pages, they will likely need your help for a wile but this is something they’ve seen mummy and daddy do before and they’re ready to give it a go!
4. Ask questions
Sometimes reading to your little one is a passive and soothing experience for them. Other times it is a learning and development experience. Ask (and answer!) questions about familiar objects in the story.
5. Let your toddler read to you
Children enjoy copying their parents, you can ask your toddler to read to you. They may be able to name an object, or later remember a rhyme.
