Everyday Activities to Share with Your Toddler

Read together every day; let your toddler hold the book and turn pages Read favorite books over and over Tell a favorite story using a puppet Talk about the book as you read Go to the library for books and Storytime Take a walk, talking about what you see and reading signs as you go Keep paper, crayons, and markers available Act out “Five Little Monkeys, Jumping on the Bed” or other rhymes Encourage your child to “read” or tell a story to his or her teddy bear Tell real life stories from when you were little Encourage your toddler to talk about what he or she is doing Put labels on objects around the house--the chair, the bed, etc. Recite nursery rhymes together at nap time or while driving Get ABC magnets or ABC books and find the letters of the toddler’s name Set up a book shelf or book bin

Brain Power

Beginning at birth and during your child’s early years,crucial connections are formed and strengthened in the brain through repeated playful, loving, and stimulating experiences. Each time you read a story, tickle a belly, sing a song, or play peek-a-boo, connections are made between brain cells. Repetition makes the connections stronger, so sing that song again!

Illustration from WHOSE SHOES? by Anna Grossnickle Hines. Illustration copyright ©2001 by LeUyen Pham.
Used by permission of Harcourt, Inc.