What to expect

Your toddler is getting good at saying words and may say up to 750 words.

They are getting better at putting words together to make short sentences.

They probably understand most of what you say to them.
They love imitating you.

girl pointing to pictures in books while woman look

Parenting Tips

Try to set aside at least 5 to 10 minutes several times a day to read together. Children this age don’t have a very long attention span.

As you read more to your child you might notice that they can sit still for longer periods of time.

If your child starts to fidget, they might be getting bored. When they won’t sit still any longer, put the book away and do something different.

Why read aloud to your toddler?

📙 It helps increase the number of words they know and how to make them into sentences.

📙 It teaches them about things in this world.

📙 It gives them a good feeling about reading books.

📙 It creates a special closeness when you share books together.

📙 It shows them how books are read and that printed words have meaning.

📙 It makes learning to read easier.

Did you know that…

📙Reading “on the go” will help your child learn that words are all around them. Point out words and say them to your child when you are at the grocery store or out for a walk.

📙 Reading aloud to your child increases their later success in school.

What can you do?

Read daily to your child

📙 Set aside time daily to read to your child.

📙 Let your child choose which books to read. It’s okay if they want to read the same books “over and over” again. Children like to know what is going to happen.

📙 While reading the stories, make sure to point out how characters are feeling. Say things like, “He looks sad!” or “She looks happy!”

📙 Help your child make connections between what is happening in the book. For example, if you are reading a story that talks about being scared, ask your child if they ever felt scared. This really helps children learn. It engages their thinking.

📙 Relate what happens in stories to events in your child’s life. If someone in the story is going to the park, say, “Do you remember when we went to the park?”

Reading tips

Expose your child to different ideas and words by reading a variety of books. Select books that interest your child.

Build your child’s book library by shopping at rummage sales or asking relatives or friends for hand-me-down books that their children have outgrown.

Visit your local library each week for story hour and to check out books.

Move your finger as you read the words so your child can see how you read.

Match reading time to fit your child’s attention span. When your child loses interest, it’s time to stop.

Enjoy reading to your child!