Even toddlers can enjoy books and learn from sharing books with you. Sharing books with your toddler can help teach them to talk and them get ready to listen and learn in school.
Making Books A Part of Your Toddler‘s Bedtime Routine
Set aside 5 to 10 minutes with the TV off for sharing books as part of your regular bedtime routine. Regular bedtime routines started when children are young help prevent bedtime struggles. Teaching young children how to fall asleep alone by putting them in bed awake helps prevent future night wakings.
15-17 Month Olds Can:
- Choose a book to share.
- Look at favorite pictures and make their own sounds for some of them.
- Point to 1 or 2 animals and make that animal’s sound.
- Pay attention to a book for a few minutes at a time.
- Laugh, squeal and jabber while enjoying a favorite book with you.
What Parents Can Do:
- Find a quiet, comfortable place for book sharing.
- Name and say a few words about the pictures your child is pointing to orlooking at.
- Imitate the sound or words your child says while looking at a picture. Then add a few more words like: “Yes, eyes. The girl has pretty eyes.”
- Make up games, while looking at pictures, like: “Where’s the girl’s nose? Where’s Mommy’s nose? Where’s your nose?”
- Name and then demonstrate actions in a book, such as “Laughing. Look at the boy laughing.”Then laugh with your child!
Last Updated 4/3/2013
Source Committee on Early Childhood (Copyright © 1994 American Academy of Pediatrics)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
