What you can do for your baby or toddler:

• Talk to them about what they see or do.

• Show them new things and talk about them.

• Use speech that is simple and clear.

• Respond to babbling and early talking.

• Read with them on a daily basis.

• Make sharing a book a special time for closeness.

• Let them see that you enjoy reading

• Let them play with books.

• Take them to the library.

• Sing to them

• Make books available in your home.

• Let them see that you enjoy reading.

• Put books within your child's reach.

• Expect that your child will chew the books as a baby.

• Expect that your child may tear a page or two.

• Limit TV viewing.

When you share a book with your baby or toddler:

• Select books that are age-appropriate.  Staff at your local library are happy to help!

• Select books with few or no words and that have simple but interesting pictures.

• Pick a time when you and your baby are in a good mood.

• Read in your most exciting voice and point to the pictures.

• Touch and love your child the whole time.

• Let your baby play with the book.

• Stop reading when your baby loses interest.

Emergent Literacy |  2 & 3 Year Olds | 4 & 5 Year Olds