As parents, we learn very early on that reading is great for the development of young brains. It’s also a great bonding experience between parents/caregivers and children! Even babies can sit with their parents/caregivers and look at picture books for short(or long) periods of time. It’s a great way to set a routine with babies at night before they go to bed so they can begin to wind down. It’s also a great way throughout their day to help them learn to transition their body and mind from active learning to more passive learning. When they are small, going through very short, simple books with just pictures or short sentences that tell a story gets them ready to both understand and begin to use words. You can point to pictures as you label them and eventually, when they are able to touch/point, label the pictures so they can show you they understand the word is associated with a picture. Once they begin to talk, ask your child “What’s/Who’s this?” as you point so they begin to practice saying the words themselves. This is also a great opportunity for them to ASK to look at a book with you. When your child brings a book to you ask him/her “Do you want to read a book?”. Then, cue them by saying “Tell me” and model “book” for them to imitate. You can also utilize the sign if needed(found in resources tab). For older children, expand when they ask “book” by modeling “Read book” or “Book please” so they imitate word combinations to make requests. Books with repetition or onomatopoeia of a sound/word/phrase are great for children to fill in when you pause. This will demonstrate both their growing memory and anticipation, as well as, build their confidence to use sounds/words.
Words/sounds to include: book, more, all done, read, open, label the pictures or actions on the pages, use any sounds the pictures in the book may make(vroom, beep, moo, quack, etc.)