COMMIT TO READ EVERY DAY Try to set aside 15 minutes every day to read together. Get books from your local library.

WARM UP Before you open the book, check out the cover. Read the title. Look at the picture. Ask your child what she thinks the book might be about.

READ AND DISCUSS Your toddler will learn the most if you have discussions while you read. Respond to their comments and questions about the story. Ask questions that get them thinking. “Why is the boy sad?” “What do you think is going to happen next?”

HELP THEM FOLLOW ALONG Point to the words and pictures. This helps your toddler understand how reading works. For example, we read from left to right on the page.

USE EXPRESSION Use your best reader’s voice! Trying different voices for different characters is fun.

ENJOY THE PICTURES Talk about what is happening in the pictures. You can talk about the colors and shapes you see or what the characters are doing.

DON’T BE TOO SERIOUS Make it fun! Your toddler may want to turn the page before you’ve finished it. If they can’t sit still for the whole book, that’s okay.

SET A GREAT EXAMPLE If toddlers see grownups reading and know that they enjoy it, they will learn that reading is a fun and important part of life.