The Rules of Reading

How to Engage Baby and Toddler

By Christy R. Stevenson

• Change dynamics. Vary your voice volume from loud to soft, depending on the story parts.
• Change intonation. Alter the ups and downs of your voice; avoid monotony.
• Change tempo. Vary the pace of your reading, depending on the action in the story. A slow tempo can create suspense or emphasize a recurring line in the story. A fast tempo can evoke excitement or humor.
• Interact. Allow your child to help turn the pages, point out parts of the illustration and ask questions like, "Do you see that bunny? Which one is bigger? What color is the bunny?"
• Monitor and adjust. If your baby or toddler is getting bored or wants a different kind of book, accommodate. Turn to the end, and say "the end," even if half the book is left. Never force Baby to sit and listen; that fosters negative feelings toward reading.
• Encourage. Let the child choose the book if old enough. Give books rather than toys or candy as gifts or treats at the store. When older, get books with audiotapes or accompanying toys. Get books that come in a series; kids can get addicted. Discuss books together.

Time is something we will never have enough of, but it's crucial to make reading time a priority. It need not require a huge chunk of time – even five minutes is better than none. Here are some helpful hints for finding the right time to read with your baby or toddler:

• Make it a bedtime ritual.
• Read when Baby is happy and content.
• Read when Baby is cuddled in your arms and needs, but refuses, to sleep. The sound of your voice can do the trick.
• For active babies who only want to play, memorize a simple book and recite it to him or her while you play together. Many books have rhythm. Clap Baby's hands together as you read or recite the book.
• For toddlers, read during designated quiet times, before or after naps or in place of watching a television show.
• Always pack some books to take with you to the store, so your toddler can "read" while you shop. This should entertain for at least a minute or two!
• Bring books along wherever you go that may require a wait. Instead of reading a magazine to yourself, read a book to your little one.
• Allow your toddler to pretend to read, flipping the pages and simply playing with the book.
• Attend storytelling hours at your local library. Often a change of scenery, with the addition of peers, can make reading time the favorite part of the day.
• Read often! One school district recommends that by the time your child enters first grade, he or she should have been read to for a total of 1,000 hours! That's about half an hour a day from the day your child is born.

Want to see more?

• iParenting Book Club
• Let's Start Reading! It's Never Too Early to Introduce Reading to Your Child
• Preschoolers Today Recommended Reading List
• Book It: The Importance of Reading to Your Child
• Bonding With Books: Creating a Parent/Child Book Club
• Recommended Reading List Discussion Board