Many parents don’t see the value in reading to children this young. Reading to babies is also a great way to immerse them in the sounds and rhythms of speech. It is very crucial for language development.
The sillier you are while acting out the story, the better. For instance, if you’re reading about animals or birds, make those animal/bird noises.
Many toddlers find the familiar routine of reading very reassuring and also calming. The same goes for familiar books too. Starting at about 18 months, children may ask for the same book over and over again. This kind of repetition has a learning benefit as well. Experts think it helps children make sense of things and then remember new words as well.
Let’s see some books that are everything you need to immerse your child in at this age.
Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker
We’re big fans of nursery rhymes at our house, so we really love this book which expands on the traditional rhyme. As the clock strikes a new number, another animal wanders by the clock. “Hickory, dickory, dock. Someone nibbled the clock. The clock struck nine — a porcupine! Hickory, dickory, dock.”
Grumpy bird by Jeremy Tankard
This book is perfect to read when your toddler wakes up cranky! It’s about a little bird who’s so grumpy nothing seems right. Thankfully his animal friends help him come out of his bad mood with some exercise and companionship. Funny!
Emily’s balloon by Komako Sakai
This beautifully simple book begins with Emily getting a balloon tied to her finger. After it flies up to the ceiling several times, her mother ties it to a spoon so that it can go everywhere with her. Emily and her balloon play together until a gust of wind blows it into a tree. Emily is heartbroken until her mother promises to get a ladder and bring it down the next day. “‘Really and truly?’ ‘Really and truly. Goodnight, honey.’”
Guess how much I love you by Sam Mcbratney
Little Nutbrown Hare and his dada try to give words to the special love that exists between parent and child. This book is warm and comforting. It is a perfect book to snuggle up with your kid before nap time.
Where do diggers sleep at night? By Brianna Caplan Sayres
Parents who have little ones who are obsessed with vehicles can expect their toddler to request for this story all the time. From diggers and dump trucks to tractors and cranes, the sweet rhymes about familiar bedtime routines gently lull these trucks and at the same time your kids off to sleep.
Duck in the truck by Jez Alborough
Duck’s truck is stuck in the muck. Who will help him out?
First, frog lends a hand. Then sheep helps push, too. But duck’s truck won’t come unstuck! Can anyone help him get out of the muck? Or is duck out of luck?
It’s a fun rhyming book to read aloud to your child.
Postman bear by Julia Donaldson
Postman Bear is a lift-the-flap book with a story about the bear and his friends. Bear goes out and posts three letters each to a Frog, Squirrel and Mole. When they open the letter, they find they are invited to the Bear’s birthday party. Finally, they all go to the Bear’s party with their gifts and the bear bakes a delicious cake for them.
It can be used to introduce basic counting to the children. It is fun to have your kids play a role from this book. You can join with other children for doing this.
Sheep in the jeep by Nancy E. Shaw and Margot Apple
A flock of hapless sheep drive through the country in this rhyming picture book. Full of fun rhymes, this is a book that your toddler will want to hear again. And again. And — you get the idea. Nancy Shaw’s Seussian rhymes are guaranteed to tickle every reader’s funny bone, while providing a great little learning tool, as well.
Maisy’s Colors by Lucy Cousins
Maisy makes preschool concepts fresh as a daisy in these oversize board books. In the first, the adorable, chunkily outlined mouse sports a royal red coat, replete with fur-trimmed crown, and jauntily bounces on a purple rocking horse as she identifies the names and depictions of the colors all around her.
This is a great beginner book for colors. Your little one won’t be able to get enough of it.
I’m a Little Caterpillar by Tim Weare
Caterpillar is perplexed. What will he be when he “grows up?” Perhaps a loud, hairy lion? Or a huge, scaly dinosaur? Simple text accompanies bright, eye-catching artwork in this funny story in which Caterpillar discovers what he’s meant to be.
A latex finger puppet of a caterpillar pokes through a die-cut hole on every spread, including covers, ready to help little ones act out the story
It gives a fun-filled reading experience that provides hours of creative entertainment.
Studies have demonstrated that parents play an enormous role in a child’s emerging literacy. The one thing that all good readers and writers have in common is that they were read to as children.
Also read : 7 ways to make you child love reading
