All parents want their children to be able to read, write, and speak well. But it won’t happen overnight. Literacy starts at birth and develops over the years. Jump in and start reading with your toddler!

What is Literacy?

Literacy means being able to read and write. But it means much more. Literacy is being able to speak, and to understand what you read, write, and hear. Children who are “literate” know that sounds, letters, pictures, and ideas go together and have meaning.

Ways to Build Your Toddler’s Literacy

Include songs and rhymes in your routine.
ABC’s, “Twinkle, Twinkle”, or “Peak-A-Boo”.

Let children turn the pages.

Show children the cover page.
Explain what the story is about or ask them to guess what the story might be about.

Point to pictures.
Ask questions while you read like, “What’s that?” or “Where is the black cat?”

Show children the words.
Run your finger along the words as you read them, from left to right.

Make the story come alive!
Create voices for the story characters and use your body to tell the story.

Let your child tell the story.
Allow your child to repeat the story in their own words. This will help with their memory and nurture their literacy skills.

Have books and print everywhere!
Put books on tables or in baskets, and put up letters and words with pictures on the refrigerator.

Start visiting the library with your toddler!

Make books a part of your daily routine. The more that books are woven into children’s everyday lives, the more likely they will be able to see reading as a pleasure and a gift.

• Meal times
• In the car or bus
• Child care drop off
• Doctor’s office
• Bath time
• Bed time

What Toddlers Like in Books

Young Toddlers 12-24 months:

• Sturdy board books that they can carry
• Books with photos of children doing familiar things like sleeping or playing
• Books with a few words on each page
• Animal, shapes, and color books
• Books with simple rhymes or predictable text

Toddlers 2-3 years:

• Books that tell simple stories
• Simple books that they can memorize
• Books about playtime
• Books with familiar objects and favorite characters

Make Literacy a Daily Habit for You and Your Toddler!

As a toddler, your once captive audience is now on the move. Reading for a few minutes at a time is okay for your active
toddler. Young children can only sit for a few minutes for a story, but as they grow, they will be able to sit longer. Let your toddler decide how much time you spend reading. You want to keep doing the same kinds of activities you have been doing all along reading, talking, singing, and playing-with some changes to keep up with your developing toddler!