Ready. Set. Read!
Literacy is a gift every child deserves.
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 routines.
At DPC we promote reading at every visit for all ages. We are proud of our book donation program where we encourage our patients to donate their gently used books to our “bookcase” where other patients can choose a book to take home and enjoy.
We are proud to support the DeKalb Library Foundation’s initiative. Great age specific suggestions can be found here.
What Young Children Like in Books, From www.zerotothree.org/BrainWonders
Infants 0-6 months
- Books with simple, large pictures or designswith 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.
Infants 6-12 months
- Board books with photos of other babies.
- Brightly colored “chunky” board books to touch and taste!
- Books with photos of familiar objects like balls and bottles.
- Books with sturdy pages that can be propped up or spread out in the crib or on a blanket.
- Plastic/vinyl books for bath time.
- Washable cloth books to cuddle and mouth.
- Small plastic photo albums of family and friends.
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.
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.
Ways to Share Books with Babies & Toddlers
Make Sharing Books Part Of Every Day
Read or share stories at bedtime or on the bus.
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 and 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
Links to reading resources:
New York Public Library – 100 Great Children’s books: http://www.nypl.org/childrens100
Reach Out & Read – “where great stories begin”: http://www.reachoutandread.org/