I understand … Schedules are busy! Early morning alarms are being set, after school activities are in full swing, and dinner needs to be on the table at an acceptable hour. Not to mention, parents are navigating job demands, whether they work in or outside of the home. It can be easy for your toddler to get lost in the shuffle. However, with just a little bit of effort, you can use your spare time – 10 minutes, 3 times a day – to instill a love and desire for learning in your toddler!

Your child’s young, formative years are so important to their brain development. What if I told you that in just 30 days, you could easily teach your toddler to read his or her favorite book? Here are the extremely easy 4 steps to have your child reading and enjoying a book in just 30 days!

1. Read to Your Child and Point to the Words.

We all know how important it is to read to your young children. Not only does reading spark curiosity and develop language and listening skills, reading also forms a bond between parent and child. I remember the days of letting my one of my daughters choose a book, sitting them in my lap, and reading to them as we snuggled in the rocking chair or at the foot of the bed. That was my favorite time of day, but is just reading to them enough?

There is a very important way parents can further engage toddlers during reading time … simply by slowing down and pointing to each word as they read it! The young mind is amazing, and it is the most flexible during these early years! Our children will begin to learn the words we read just by repetitively knowing where to look as we say each word.

Make an effort to discuss the picture with your child before you read the corresponding page. This will keep him or her from being distracted and have them ready to look at the words.

2. Make Flashcards of the “Sight Words” in the Story.

Most children’s books use common words and phrases repetitively. These words will become your “Sight Words” to write on flashcards. It is common to have 20-30 flashcards per book. I am including a link at the bottom of the page for my favorite flash cards to use. They are great because they are a perfect size, and they are reusable.

For example, in the story “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown, the first few flashcards would include moon, room, green, red, cow, three, bears, etc. Practice these words with your son or daughter daily, 3 times a day. Have them say each word after you say it. You will be amazed how soon they start to recognize and enjoy showing you that they can say the word before you say it!

Be sure to give full praise for each accomplishment. After about one week, your child will begin to recognize that the words from the flashcards are the same words you are pointing to and reading aloud to them from the book!

3. Hold Child’s Hand and Help Them Point to Words.

After about a week, your son or daughter is used to 2 things: hearing you read to them daily, and reading flashcards with your help 3 times a day. Now it’s time for you to help them read the book!

The next time you snuggle in for your nightly reading, ask your child to “read the story to you”. Guide their little finger and help them point to each word. Have them say the words in the book with you. This may not go smoothly the first time, but give great praise! After a few days, he or she will be saying those words with you like a pro! Quick side note … try not to worry because it may at first seem like they are “memorizing the words”, but in actuality, that’s what reading is … memorizing sight words in and out of order!

4. Make It Fun!

There is nothing more miserable for a young child than being forced to sit still for an extended period of time without a fun activity. Children preschool age and younger are at the perfect time to form the mindset that books are fun! Here are some ideas to help your child enjoy reading:

• Let your child chose the book. Children are more likely to enjoy reading a book about their favorite animal or cartoon character.
• Children model what they see; let them see you reading for fun.
• Develop a Reading Space. It helps when a young child has consistency; reading with you in the same place nightly develops confidence and security.
• Carry a book with you. Some children carry a teddy bear or blanket with them as a source of comfort. Encourage your child to carry his or her favorite book! Let reading become a fun car activity, or have a book be that special treat that goes in the cool new bookbag.
• Ask your child questions about the story. For example, “What do you think will happen next?” “What was your favorite part of the book?” Age-appropriate conversations about the story engage your child’s curiosity.
• Read to others. Once your child starts learning the words in the story, let them show off this new skill to family and friends. The praise they get will push them to practice more and more!
• Act out the story. There is nothing more fun than pretending to be the characters of the story with Mom or Dad! How fun it would be to build a fort and pretend it is the house of the Three Little Pigs. Daddy would make a great big bad wolf!

It is important to remember that all children learn differently … but the important part is that all children can develop a love for learning! Reading gives young children a sense of accomplishment and reading with your child provides children feelings of attention, love, and reassurance.

Making reading a priority will foster your child’s imagination and creativity for life!

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