Especially for toddlers – Looking at Books Together: Storytelling & Listening

Before a child reads on her own, she needs to share books with adults. Shared reading is one way to become aware of the rules about printed material. Reading to toddlers improves their understanding of both printed material and oral language. This article includes ideas to help strengthen your toddler’s understanding of printed materials—an important early literacy skill.


Toddlers learn about reading when they look at and talk about words in a story with an adult. This exploration of books helps toddlers understand that printed letters and words have meaning.


You can help your toddler understand that the printed mat- ter (pictures, letters, and words) in a book has meaning. Talk with your child while pointing out pictures, words, or letters that match what you are saying. Ask your child to point to the picture of her favorite animal. You find and point to the word that labels the animal.


Most days present natural opportunities for sharing a book with your toddler. Before a nap or while waiting for dinner are good times to pick up your toddler’s favorite books to share.

• Be sure the books interest your child. Toddlers always seem to have one or two favorite books that you can keep on hand. You can also introduce some new books about things that she likes.  
• Let your toddler be a leader, choosing which book she wants to read.
• As you talk about the book, point to pictures, words, and letters. Tell your child, for example, “This word is dog. Can you show me the picture of the dog?” Or “This letter is A. That is the first letter of your name, Alan.”
• When you are reading a sentence, move your finger under the words you are reading. This shows your toddler that English words are read from the left to the right side of the page.
• Occasionally point to a letter like B. Explain, “This letter is a B and it makes the Bbb sound, like in the word baby.” Ask her to say Bbb or baby. This helps her begin to see the connection between letters and their sounds.
• As you “read” the book, let your child hold it and turn the pages. Don’t worry about skipping pages. With a toddler, reading every page is not necessary. Letting your child hold the book and explore it encourages her to take an active part in the reading experience.
• Smiling and commenting on her exploration of the book or her attempts to answer your questions encourages her. A little encouragement will help keep her involved in the activity.