January 26, 2023
Today’s blog post was creating using materials from Talking is Teaching, a campaign of Too Small to Fail.
Books build connections, which is one of the reasons it’s important to read with your little one every day. Today’s blog is a list of fun ways to engage with the little ones in your life. You can download a PDF of the full list, plus a list of suggested book-themed books and videos, at the bottom of the page.
Talk about feelings! When you read a book with your little one, talk about characters’ emotions. You can ask: “How does he feel? How would you feel? Why?”
While you read books with your baby, point to and talk about the pictures: “Look, the red train goes choo-choo!”
It’s natural for children to choose the same book to read over and over. It helps them learn new words and concepts!
Encourage your baby to help turn the pages when you read a book together!
Take turns showing each other different faces and use words to describe them: “We’re smiling because we’re happy!”
Share a book or a song in your native language. It’s a great way to introduce your child to your home culture!
Books can helps develop empathy! When reading together ask questions like: “How do you think the character feels?”