Why is Reading so Important?
What to Read to Infants
Tips on How to Read to Infants
What to Read to 12-24 Month Olds
Tips on How to Read to 12-24 Month Olds
What to Read to 2-3 Year Olds
Tips on How to Read to 2-3 Year Olds
What to Read to 3-5 Year Olds
How to Read to 3-5 Year Olds
For more infomation/ Copyright information

Why is Reading so Important?
Reading to your child and introducing books into his or her life is a great way to help him or her develop literacy skills. Continuous exposure to literacy during the first five years can help your child be successful now and in the future!

What to Read to Infants
Infants from 6-12 months like books that are:

• filled with pictures of other babies
• filled with pictures of everyday, familiar objects like cars, balls, bottles
• board books
• small enough to hold in small hands
• colorful and fun to touch and taste

Tips on How to Read to Infants
When reading to a 6-12 month year old, you can:

• point and say the names of pictures
• pay attention to baby's cues; read more or stop depending on these cues
• make reading a part of every day (at bedtime, in the grocery store, etc)
• have fun!

What to Read to 12-24 Month Olds
Toddlers at this age like books that:

• are sturdy and easy to handle or carry
• have pictures of other kids doing something they do (eating, sleeping)
• have a "goodnight" theme at bedtime
• talk about saying hello and goodbye
• have only a few words on each page
• have simple rhymes

Tips on How to Read to 12-24 Month Olds
When reading to a 12-24 month year old, you can:

• let your child hold and control books
• remember that children have short attention spans (a few minutes of reading is okay!)
• ask your child where something is and let them point to it
• talk about the pictures or make up a story; you don't have to read the words in the book
• add books into routines (every morning, at bedtime)
• run your fingers along the words as you read them
• relate the story to your child's own life
• use creative voices for characters in books
• help your child turn the pages

What to Read to 2-3 Year Olds
Toddlers at this age like books that:

• are board books AND paper books
• are funny books
• have rhymes, rhythms, and repeating text
• talk about making friends
• are about animals, trucks, and food

Tips on How to Read to 2-3 Year Olds
When reading to a 2-3 year old, you can:

• use books in routines, especially at bedtime
• be okay with reading the same book(s) over and over again
• ask your child "what's that?" and give them time to answer
• show your child the cover page and explain what the story might be about
• ask questions about the story
• run your fingers along the words as you read them
• help your child turn the pages

What to Read to 3-5 Year Olds
Preschoolers at this age like books that:

• tell stories
• are about kids that look like them AND about kids that do not look like them
• are about going to child care or school and having friends
• are easy enough to memorize
• are about counting, alphabet, and vocabulary

How to Read to 3-5 Year Olds
When reading to a 3-5 year old, you can:

• ask your child questions about the story
• let your child tell the story
• let your child turn the pages
• let your child ask questions about the story
• make reading an everyday occurrence

For more infomation/ Copyright information
Reproduced with permission of the Reach Out and Read National Center. You can link directly to www.reachoutandread.org

The Cooperative Children's Book Center is another wonderful reading resource for both parents and providers. Visit their website (or their location) for recommendations on a variety of literature topics!