Books are great prompts to get talking to your toddler about all sorts of things they wouldn't necessarily come across in everyday life.
You don't have to read them word for word - see what pictures they take an interest in and repeat the things they say, make plenty of noises and get animated like the dad in the video below.
The benefits of sharing picture books
- Picture books introduce the idea of reading for fun to children at a young age
- They can inspire their imagination
- They allow children to hear words they may not hear often in their daily lives
- Books allow children to connect the things they see in pictures with the words for those things as you read them aloud
- Snuggling up with a book is a perfect bonding moment for you both
Making the most of storytime at 12-18 months
At this age, telling stories word for word is far less important than having fun with a book.
Let your child take the lead, turning the pages and looking at the pictures. If they name something in the pictures, talk about it - name characters, animals, places, people and act out what they might be doing.
Be as animated as you can, using different voices and making noises - don't be afraid to sound silly, your little one will love it.
If they name something in the book, show them how to use the word in a phrase. For example, if they said 'lion', you could say 'yes, the lion is roaring!'
Try and sit close together, so that your child can see your face as you speak and encourage them to hold the book and turn the pages.
Image caption, Books are great for talking to your child about lots of different things they wouldn't normally hear. Whether at home...
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More about storytelling from Tiny Happy People
- Check out these storytelling tips from The Toddler Club
- Why your little one likes to hear the same story over and over
