Why Toddler Reading is so Important

Toddler reading is an important part of your toddler's development. I feel it is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child, the gift to love books and the love of reading. It is a fact that a child you read to early on grows up loving to read as well. Child Reading can help make you smarter.

I remember as a little girl my older sisters reading to me. I loved it and welcomed every moment that they could read me a book. In the pages of a book I learned that I could imagine myself being a princess or even a pirate. I am so blessed to have had my sisters who loved me so much to give me the love for reading. I hope that I can pass this same love for reading on to my son.

Why is reading to my toddler so important?

I feel that toddler reading is the single most important thing you have to do for your child. It lays a permanent foundation for their future. In their future they are more likely to be excellent readers and good students by being exposed to reading at this toddler stage.

It is amazing the benefits that reading to your child can do for them. I know that by me and my husband reading to our son it contributed to his brightness. He is 3 and smart as a tack. I know I am his mom, however it is simply the truth. He started pre-school and the teacher was amazed at how much he already knew.

Reading helped my Toddler learn:

• Shapes
• Numbers and counting
• Letters
• Animals

He learned all of these skills BEFORE he started pre-school. This comes from reading books that help to develop these skills. I have a goal that I am going to teach him to read when he turns 4. I know that this can be accomplished.

What types of books should I read to my toddler?

• Board Books

These are the best. As you know these books cannot be torn. It also doesn’t hurt when they like to chew on them from time to time, Lol. Take your child to the store and allow them to just pick out a few books. This helps with toddler reading. My son always picks out books. He was picking out books when he was 1 years old.

Moms, try to pick out books that have the shapes and colors throughout the books. Animal books are the greatest so they can learn to recognize certain animals. Lots and lots of pictures are great!!! Trust me there will be some much loved books by your toddler. My son used to bring me the same book over and over. He loved it so I encouraged reading and would stop and read it to him.

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• Lift-The-Flap books and touch or sound books

These books are fantastic to encourage learning. The lift the flap books are so cute. My son loves to lift the flap and see what is hidden underneath. Touch books are great for sensory skills. There are books that have fur or rubber bands. There may be some Velcro or zippers. Your toddler will have a fun time with these books. The sound books are great too!! They will love to do toddler reading while pressing buttons and hearing music or cool sounds. These books are just another means to promote fun reading!

• Paper Books

Just because you have a toddler doesn’t mean they can’t have paper books. They will have to be monitored that’s all. We love paper books just as much. Now my son used to get confused and think that they were coloring books. That is why I say to just watch them with the paper books. The books can get torn so fast. You want your child to respect books and that must be taught by the parents.

• Coloring Books

Coloring books should be encouraged also. Take the time read the book and color at the same time. This is a nice form of toddler reading. It can be so fun for them. You can put your toddler in their high chair and read/color with them. They will love it. My son used to laugh and it is also time spent together. So go get some coloring books and have a great family night together!!! Have a Family color night.

How much time should I spend reading with my toddler?

In my opinion I feel that you should read to your child anytime they ask. I try to the best of my ability to read whenever my son brings me a book. It is that Important to me. I am not saying that you have to practice this, however there are a few guidelines you may want to follow.

• Try toddler reading at least once a day
• Have a scheduled reading time each day. Try to read before bed time or else just have a reading time each day. We have a “quiet reading time” each day. We shut off the television, computers and just read for 30 minutes. It is wonderful!! My son knows when it is time for reading. He gets excited for it.
• Remember how busy smaller toddlers can be. They may not be able to sit down for 30 minutes and read. It is okay for them to read for a few minutes and then go on to the next thing. I would still try and enforce the quiet time. Your toddler may just go back and forth from playing to reading. It is still effective.

Special Note: Remember to encourage toddler reading by allowing your child to read along with you. Put your toddler on your lap to encourage more participation while reading.

A few of my Favorite books my toddler and I read together

1. God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren

2. If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff

3. Cozy Koalas by Nancy Parent

4. The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle (board book)

5. The Touch Me Book by Pat and Eve Witte (board book)

6. Where’s Spot by Eric Hill (lift –the- flap)

7. I See by Rachel Isadora (board book)

8. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (board Book)

9. The Everything Book by Denise Fleming

10. My First Word Book by Angela Wilkes

These are just a few of my favorites. We have so many toddler books that we love to read together. I love to take my toddler to the library also! We grab a couch and sit in the childrens section and read books! He gets to check out books with his own card and he thinks he is so special. (Mom agrees with that!!) Check out Amazon.com for some great books at LOW prices!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this page on my site. I can see that toddler reading is as just as important to your family. The children are our future. Reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. Enjoy!!