Parenting Counts | Reading with Toddler

Kids are the best copycats and if they see you reading, they will know that reading time is important. We have included a list of recommended books on parenting and child development. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about parenting because research tells us that parenting counts! Here are some tips that will make reading with your child more enjoyable for both of you.

Paying attention to a story is sometimes hard for toddlers, so don't be upset if you don't get to the end of a book. Just make the reading time fun and interactive.
Between ages 2 and 3, toddlers begin to show some independence and will certainly want to choose the books.
Even though they can't read the words, they will take you through the story. Encourage their independence and be responsive to their interest in books.
Make reading an important part of your day.
Use reading as an opportunity to snuggle up and be close.
Let your toddler pick the book.
Ask if you can pick one too.
If they pick the same book over and over, that's okay because children learn through repetition.
Try to find books that interest your child with topics, like trucks, animals, bugs, or whatever interests them.
Let them hold the book and turn the pages if they want to.
Point to pictures in the books.
Sound out words carefully.
Ask questions about the story or about the characters.
Show enthusiasm for their answers.
When you are reading, be expressive and use silly voices for characters.
Sometimes they will be able to finish the story for you.
Let them tell you when they have had enough.
Every child has different attention spans.
Some children will like to snuggle up and read for long periods of time and others will dance around you while you read.
The important goal is to make reading time fun.

	Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Eric Carle (Illustrator) Children see a variety of animals, each one a different color, and a teacher looking at them.

	Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann An unobservant zookeeper is followed home by all the animals he thinks he has left behind in the zoo.

	Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, Anita Jeram (Illustrator) During a bedtime game, every time Little Nutbrown Hare demonstrates how much he loves his father, Big Nutbrown Hare gently shows him that the love is returned even more.

	Jamberry by Bruce Degen A little boy walking in the forest meets a big lovable bear that takes him on a delicious berry-picking adventure in the magical world of Berryland.

	Jump, Frog, Jump! by Robert Kalan, Byron Barton (Illustrator) A cumulative tale in which a frog tries to catch a fly without getting caught itself.

	The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illustrator) A little rabbit who wants to run away tells his mother how he will escape, but she is always right behind him; even if he changes into a fish, she will become a fisherman fishing with a carrot.

	Sheep in a Shop by Nancy Shaw, Margot Apple (Illustrator) Sheep hunt for a birthday present and make havoc of the shop, only to discover they haven't the money to pay for things.

	The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Waking up to a world of snowy white-what could be better? Young peter can't wait to jump in his snowsuit and run out to explore. There are snowmen to build snowballs to pack, mountains to climb and snowbanks to collapse in-to carve a snow angel! And when the day is done, there's a dark night of dreams and drifting snow, and a new snowy day to awake to.

	Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle Monica wants the moon to play with, so her Papa sets out to get it for her. It isn't easy to climb all the way up to the moon, but he finally succeeds -- only to find that the moon is too big to carry home! The way in which this problem is solved is a joyful surprise.

	Touch & Feel: 1, 2, 3 by Dorling Kindersley Publishing This best-selling novelty series for the youngest reader features a variety of intriguing and pleasing textures. They are not only great fun, but also terrific introductions to important early-learning subject areas. Sturdy pages, interesting textures, simple text, and bright pictures make these books ideal for parent and child to share.

	The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep. Die-cut pages illustrate what the caterpillar ate on successive days.

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