Picture-book point-and-name for toddlers
Toddlers can't read words yet, but they can read pictures, and they want you there while they do it. This is a short daily routine with one book, your finger and a few questions that grow as they do.
- Time
- 15 min
- Cost
- $0
- Ages
- 1 to 3
- Where
- A lap or the floor
What you need
- Two or three sturdy board books with big, clear pictures (yours or the library's)
- A favorite stuffed animal to "read" to at the end
Before you start
- Board books for chewers. Toddlers mouth books. Save books with pop-off pieces, like googly eyes or plastic parts, for older kids: small parts are a choking hazard under 3.
- Sit low. Read on the floor or the couch with you beside them, not on the edge of a high bed where a wiggly toddler can roll off.
- Don't wait on a worry. If they aren't pointing at pictures or saying many words by 2, or they stop doing things they used to, tell their doctor. Sooner is better.
Steps
- Same time, their pick. Same time each day. Phone away. Offer two or three books and let them choose, even the same one again.
- Point and name. Point to one thing at a time and name it in a word or two, then add a sound.
- Ask "Where's the...?". Ask "Where's the dog?", wait five seconds, and say it back when they point.
- Flip it: "What's that?". Point and ask "What's that?" Count any sound as an answer and say the word back.
- Leave a blank. In a favorite book, pause before the last word of a line and let them say it.
- Stop while it's fun. Stop while it's still fun and let them "read" the book to a stuffed animal.
If it stalls
- If they only want to flip pages fast, let them. Point at one thing per page as it goes by and call that a win.
- If they walk away, keep reading out loud for a page or two. Many toddlers listen while they play, then wander back.
New words they named this week
Signed off: can do this.Signed by Date