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Tree of Literacy

Reading aloud and talking together every day creates secure relationships and a strong foundation for learning. Books should be part of every family’s daily routine. At My Kids we promote reading at every visit for all ages.

Literacy is a Gift Every Child Deserves

Infants 0-6 months

  • Books with simple, large pictures or designs with bright colors.

  • Stiff cardboard, “chunky” books, or fold out books that can be propped up in the crib.

  • Cloth and soft vinyl books with simple pictures of people or familiar objects that can go in the bath or get washed.

  • Repetitive sing song verses encourage vocalization.

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Infants 6-12 months

  • Board books with photos of other babies.

  • Brightly colored “chunky” board books to touch and feel.

  • Books with photos of familiar objects like balls and bottles.

  • Books with sturdy pages that can be propped up or spread out for playtime.

  • Plastic/vinyl books for bath time.

  • Washable cloth books to cuddle.

  • Small plastic photo albums of family and friends. 

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Young Toddlers 12-24 months

  • Sturdy board books that they can carry.

  • Books with photos of children doing familiar things like sleeping or playing.

  • Goodnight books for bed time.

  • Books about saying hello and good-bye.

  • Books with only a few words on each page.

  • Books with simple rhymes or predictable text.

  • Animal books of all sizes and shapes.

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Toddlers 2-3 years

  • Books that tell simple stories.

  • Simple rhyming books that they can memorize.

  • Bed time books.

  • Books about counting, the alphabet, shapes, or sizes.

  • Animal books, vehicle books, books about playtime.

  • Books with their favorite TV characters inside.

  • Books about saying hello and good-bye.

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Ways To Share Books With Babies & Toddlers

 

  • Make Sharing Books Part Of Every Day

  • Read or share stories at bedtime or playtime.

  • Have Fun

  • Children can learn from you that books are fun, which is an important ingredient in learning to read.

  • A Few Minutes is OK—Don’t Worry if You Don’t Finish the Story

  • Young children can only sit for a few minutes for a story, but as they grow, they will be able to sit longer.

  • Talk or Sing About the Pictures

  • You do not have to read the words to tell a story.

  • Let Children Turn the Pages

  • Babies need board books to help turning pages, but a three-year-old can do it alone. Remember, it’s OK to skip pages!

  • Show Children the Cover Page

  • Explain what the story is about.

  • Show Children the Words

  • Run your finger along the words as you read them, from left to right.

  • Make the Story Come Alive

  • Create voices for the story characters and use your body to tell the story.

  • Make It Personal

  • Talk about your own family, pets, or community when you are reading about others in a story.

  • Ask Questions About the Story, and Let Children Ask Questions Too!

  • Use the story to engage in conversation and to talk about familiar activities and objects.

  • Let Children Tell the Story

  • Children as young as three years old can memorize a story, and many children love to be creative through storytelling

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Preschool to High School and Beyond

  • Continue to read to your child

  • Your child should be reading at least 30 minutes each day 

  • Help your child pronounce words

  • Make sure your child sees you reading

  • Read as a family 

  • Ask questions and take an interest in what they are reading

  • Go to the library together

  • Share your favorite story with your child at each stage of their life

  • Make reading fun

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Links To Reading Resources:

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  • Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.

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