Skip Navigation
Engaged Families & Communities Smart & Just Policies Student Learning Resources
Action Center New from The SCEA
Educator Voice Fair Pay & Benefits
Resource Library Micro-Credentials Center for Educator Wellness & Learning Member Tools & Tips
Our Mission, Vision, & Values Our Leaders Our Members Contact Us
Start Here: Getting To Know Your Union Making Change With Your Union Leading With Your Union Learning With Your Union Benefits With Your Union The SCEA-Retired The Student SCEA
News & Announcements Legislative Newsletter Events Awards
Contact Our Help Desk
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
NEA Advice

Tips for Reading to Infants and Toddlers

It’s never too soon to start reading to your children! If your child learns early to associate reading with pleasure, she is more likely to enjoy reading on her own when she is older.
A man reads to a toddler sitting in his lap
By: National Education Association
Published: January 28, 2021
This resource originally appeared on NEA.org

Try these successful reading tips for reading to infants and toddlers:

  • Snuggle with your child with her favorite blanket or toys as you read.
  • Read with expression using different voices for different characters.
  • Emphasize rhythms and rhymes in stories. Give your toddler opportunities to repeat rhyming phrases.
  • Use pictures to build vocabulary by varying objects and their colors.
  • Use pictures to develop speaking vocabulary by talking about what is shown.
  • Encourage your child to repeat what you say or comment on it. Encourage your child to ask questions. Provide models of interesting questions and examples of possible answers. “I wonder what is going to happen next? I think the rabbit will get lost because he is not paying attention to where he is going. What do you think?”
  • Look for books that are about things that interest your toddler. For example, does your child like cars, insects, or animals?
  • Make reading a habit for bedtime, after lunch, or after naptime.
  • Give your child a chance to choose his own books. If your toddler chooses a book that is too long to hold his attention, read some and skip some, discussing the pictures and how they relate to the story.
  • Read stories again and again. Your toddler enjoys repetition and it helps him become familiar with the way stories are organized

 

Use Your Educator Voice.

We are THE voice for educators in South Carolina. See what membership can mean for you!
A mother and father help a child write.

Learning happens at home, in school, and everywhere in between.

We all have a role to play in supporting student learning. Check out resources for parents & families to support learning.
The South Carolina Education Association logo

Your Voice. Our Power. Their Future.

The SCEA is an affiliate of the largest professional association of educators in the country. As the leading advocate for the schools South Carolina students deserve, The SCEA works to promote quality public education and to support public school employees.
About Us
Join The SCEA

The South Carolina Education Association is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org

Signup

Indicates Required

Validate your The SCEA membership to create an account and access members-only content.

Use the same first and last name as your The SCEA membership.

Find your member ID on the mailing label of NEA Today or by emailing [email protected].
A valid email address. All emails from the system will be sent to this address. The email address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password.

Login

Indicates Required

Log in to access content only available to The SCEA members.