There's no need to read every story word for word. In fact, you may choose to ignore the story altogether. If your toddler loves to imitate your speech sounds, just point to objects on each page and name them. Soon, she'll be doing the same.
Add some activity.Reading doesn't always have to be a quiet or cuddly event, especially with a toddler who wants to get up and go all the time. Get your toddler moving by asking him to act out a story while you read it aloud, or get up and grab a new book every time. It doesn't matter if you get to the end— it's the reading at all that counts.
Ask questions.Encourage your toddler to think about the story and the pictures. You might point to a cow and say, "What do you think the cow will do?" You can also relate the story to objects and events in your child's world, by asking questions like, "What toys do you play with in the bath?"
We're so excited to see the chatter out there - if you have tips or advice for new parents, share it in 'Comments'!
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Comments: 2
At that time he was ready for the story aspects of the book, so I read to him. He rarely had a bedtime story since I read him two or three stories every lunch time and at dinner time too, so by bedtime he was ready to put up with my less than perfect voice singing songs to him.
He had favorite books, and by the time he was two, he would recite the exact words in the book, word for word, as if he were reading, turning the pages at the appropriate time. It appeared that he could read even though he couldn't. He had just memorized the text.
He was reading before kindergarten. The best advice I can give is to read and read and read some more. You'll be so amazed at your child's ability if you do.