Reading is fun!

When you read to your toddler, you're helping him figure out the world around him, practice new skills, and explore people, places, and things outside his own life. Best of all, it's fun. COPIED FROM BABYCENTER.COM

Tips for reading with your toddler

Don't be surprised if your toddler can sit still for only a few minutes. If your child is fidgety, just look at the pictures together or wait until another time. Trying to make your toddler sit still for the entire book takes all the fun out of reading.Put a lot of expression into your voice when you read. Use different voices for different characters, and don't be shy about giving it your all when you read silly sounds.Encourage your toddler to turn the pages, repeat rhymes and phrases, and make animal noises for the animals in the book.Schedule reading time into your daily routine - before and after nap, for example. And always keep books close by for an unexpected quiet moment when you can snuggle and read together.Point to pictures in the book as you read the story. In time, your toddler will be able to identify what's in pictures and talk about characters.Don't make story time a big production. It's good to read anytime, anywhere. Work it in when you can, even if it's just a quick story at breakfast, in a waiting room, or after a diaper change.Make regular trips to your local library. You can explore a huge variety of books for free and find out which books your child loves best.

Demonstrate your own love of books

Your child wants to imitate you. If she sees books all around the house and knows that you like to settle down with one whenever you have a moment to yourself, she'll learn that books are essential to daily life. Modeling your own love of reading is more powerful than making your child sit through a rigid story time.