Toddler Reading

2010 January 20

tags: toddler reading, toddler reading books, toddler reading program, toddler reading skills

by funtoddler

Ready for Toddler Reading

By Savel Benaya

Toddler Reading Books

Are you ready to prepare your toddler reading? There are some skills you can teach your toddler to prepare them although not every child is ready to read at two years of age but. These skills are phonemic awareness and rhyming. Phonemic Awareness is the ability to distinguish individual phonemes, or sounds, not recognizing letters, just the single sounds. It also encompasses the ability to rhyme and hear the beginning, medial and ending sounds in words. Key to teaching this skill is over exaggerating sounds.

Rhyming is the second skill. It is so much fun. Reading nursery rhymes together and picking the words that rhyme is a proper way to begin for toddler reading. Once they master the nursery rhyme and finish off your sentences, then start repeating the words that rhyme and stating that they rhyme or sound alike. Once they understand what rhyming words are go back to a familiar nursery rhyme and prompt your toddler with one of the rhyming word and ask them to give you a word that rhymes with it.

As a parent or teacher, it is important to never under estimate the importance of books and reading aloud to your toddler. Sitting down with a toddler one-on-one or in a group will also help bond your relationship with the toddler. Reading to your toddlers will help them make the transition to more advanced toddler reading.

You can spend your time for your child. It is the best thing that we can give to our children. Reading together with your child is also a great way to spend quality one on one time. Below are some tips that making toddler reading a fun experience for both you and your toddler.

Selecting a book that is age and content appropriate for your toddler. Every child has his or her level of development–only you know your child best. No matter how great this book is, shelf it until your toddler is ready to appreciate it if a book is over your toddler’s head.
You can make your child to be a part of the story. Use your child’s name instead of the main character’s when reading the book. For example, you can change “Every child likes ice cream”, make it “Lisa likes ice cream”. Incorporate family members in your story too. Instead of “grandma loves her,” make it “grandma loves Lisa”.
Don’t forget the action. It is great fun to act out certain scenes in a story. As you read “Here come the eagle fly” spread your hand like a bird to fly. When you find ways to act out the silly scenes, you and your toddler will giggle through the favorite scenes of your books over and over again.
You have to repeat and explain the story. Now that your toddler is able to appreciate the meaning behind the stories, of course you have to help your child comprehend the stories during your toddler reading times. Be sure to take the time to explain what was said in the book using terms and words your toddler can understand if some of the lines or vocabulary might be new to your child,.
You can animate your reading voice! Because children love high pitched sounds it is important to read clearly and slowly. So your child will love to hear your special sound effects such as a sound of animal. This will further engage your child’s interest in a book.