• Reading
  • Science
  • Math
  • Writing
  • Recipes
  • Travel

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Deals
  • Shop
  • Contact

By Kim Vij 15 Comments

Tips for Reading Books to Active Baby or Toddler

book covers of board books for babies and toddlers to read with parents

Looking for tips for reading books to an active baby or toddler? You’ve found the spot!  We’re sharing some key questions to consider when choosing books and the settings to create these special moments for books.

Plus included are some of the best books for toddlers and babies.

book covers of board books for babies and toddlers to read with parents

Tips for Reading Books to an Active Baby or Toddler

We’ve all been there…a book in hand but no one is interested.  We’ve read all the benefits of the importance of reading to our baby and toddler, but how can we when they are on the go? At times not even wanting or willing to sit still for a moment or better yet they might even take the book from your hands and leave the room. We’re thinking, really are they getting anything from this?

My advice…

KEEP READING! Don’t give UP!

Babies and Toddlers are meant to be explorers and spend most of their time discovering. If you keep trying to read with your baby I promise you will have that magical moment when they want to sit and read with you. One day you will catch them sitting down with a book, turning the pages, and even “talking” to the pictures. 

Eventually, they even start to get books from the book basket or book shelf and crawl or walk to you and sit in your lap, ready for you to read and share the world of books. 

Ask these questions for your baby as you select the next book…

Board Books for Babies: Tips for Reading Books to an Active Baby or Toddler
Baby Board books: Tips for Reading Books to an Active Baby or Toddler
Board Books for Babies: Tips for Reading Books to an Active Baby or Toddler

Can I Move It? Can I Feel It?

Can I hear It? Can I see a baby?

Can I see my family? Can I see bright colors?

Can I see real objects? Can I move and sign with it?

Can I read it again and again?

Board Books for Babies: Tips for Reading Books to an Active Baby or Toddler
Board Books for Babies: Tips for Reading Books to an Active Baby or Toddler
Board Books for Babies: Tips for Reading Books to an Active Baby or Toddler

When you’re able to answer YES these questions, will find that your active baby or toddler will be a little bit more willing to pause and notice books and start to read in their very own way.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Book Station Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

Strategies for Reading to Babies and Toddlers

  • Make a variety of books available 
  • Board Books with bright colors
  • Board Books with real images
  • Board Books with things to move
  • Fabric Books with sounds
  • Fabric Books with things that move
  • Picture Books with Family Members
  • Books on tape
  • Books with CD
  • Books about songs
  • Create Book Nooks around the house
  • Have a routine for reading time
  • Ask Questions
  • Change the sound in your voice as you read
  • Join a Baby Storytime at the Library
  • Check out Board books from the Library
  • Find a favorite and read it again and again… they love the language of a good book! 
Tips for Reading Books with Active Toddlers and Babies

Find New Places to Read for your Toddler

  • Dinner table reading-eat and listen
  • Laying down reading
  • Snuggle in my lap reading
  • Car reading
  • Restaurant reading
  • Stroller reading
  • Kids chair reading
  • Book bag reading

Set aside time for reading every day with your baby — even if it’s only a few minutes.

One day you will find your little one in love with reading!

Tips on Reading with Babies and Toddlers

Best Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

I saved you some time and found some great books through Amazon Associates for your little ones!

Looking for more ideas for your baby? Try these…

  • Action Songs for Babies
  • Selecting, Limiting and Displaying Books for Toddlers
  • 20 Activities for your Baby
  • Extending Reading with Everyday Play
Actions Songs for Babies
20 Baby Activities from The Educators' Spin On it

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

  • Twitter3
  • Facebook129

Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: Babies, Baby Time, books, Books for Baby, Kim, Literacy

About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

« Little Hands That Cook with Books: Let’s eat a RAINBOW!
Saint Patrick’s Day Smash a Shamrock activity and more »

Comments

  1. TammySF. says

    March 15, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    I totally agree!! You can never read enough:) Yes, it may seem like at first their not getting it or not listening, but they are….in their own way. Great Post!!

    Reply
  2. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    March 15, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    Thanks! My first two children LOVED books and would snuggle all the time to read them. My last child has just found books and loves reading them in her little chair and one her own terms. It's been a different journey and I figured I'd share it with others. They all find that magic of books in their very own way.

    Reply
  3. Sarah D. says

    March 15, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    Awesome post..gives me inspiration to keep trying (or forcing hehe)

    Reply
  4. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    March 15, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    Thanks Sarah. Whenever we can involve many of our senses at one time it's a good thing! Happy Reading!

    Reply
  5. [email protected] says

    March 16, 2012 at 6:35 am

    Great advice. I love how you have categorized your suggestions into a questions – very clever! Will share.

    Reply
  6. Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories says

    March 16, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    Great tips for reading to little ones! My friend who is a speech-language pathologist helped me write a series of posts on reading to young children. You hit on some of the same things we did. 🙂 http://inspirationlaboratories.com/2011/11/focus-on-reading/

    Reply
  7. Daniela says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    As a parent and educator, I think as both in tandem…like all of you I'm sure. Yet…I found some tips I hadn't considered before on this post, ones that remind me about the needs of my four-month as opposed to my interpretation of her needs. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    March 20, 2012 at 11:34 pm

    Thanks for sharing Marissa! The questions are something I had to remind myself of as my littlest one kept walking away from me at story time. Now she's in love with books!

    Reply
  9. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    March 20, 2012 at 11:35 pm

    Thanks Trisha, just hoped over and check them out. Building a great foundation for reading is the same across the board. The more they read, the more they can read and beging to learn and imagine!

    Reply
  10. Kim @ The Educators Spin On It says

    March 20, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    Thanks Daniela! I'm sure there are a few more things I haven't considered yet either, it's always a balancing act to see what works best for each child in their own special way. If you have any more ideas, we'd love to hear them!

    Reply
  11. CacheyMama says

    March 25, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    These are wonderful suggestions. I just did a post called 10 Literacy Ideas for Toddlers and one of the things was about interactive books. My 15 month old is currently LOVING books. He picks them up and brings them to us to read one after another. I am so thrilled and hope he continues to always love books and reading 🙂
    Lori

    Reply
  12. PragmaticMom says

    September 4, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    My kids loved touchy-feely board books, pop up books, and pull the tab/lift the flap books when they were toddlers. Some favorites:

    Maisy series by Lucy Cousins
    Anything by Sandra Boynton
    Goodnight Moon — look for the mouse on every color spread
    Goodnight Gorilla — look for the balloon and banana on every spread
    The Most Amazing ABC Book by Robert Crowthers
    Anything by Eric Carle

    Such a great age to read with kids! Sigh!

    Reply
  13. Hamrsark says

    September 9, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    I remember the frustration of never "finishing" a book! Then again, eventually, it was FAR overpowered by the joy of her jumping down grabbing a book, sitting through the whole thing and jumping down to get another one!!! Sometimes, we'd end up reading 10 – 12 books before boring of this activity!!!
    She is now two and often brings me books for HER to read to ME!!! Nothing could make me prouder…for now!

    Reply
  14. Kat says

    February 26, 2013 at 10:41 pm

    Neat. I wanted to add that toddlers are really into domestic mimicry: repeating the things they see other people do at home. That includes reading. If a kid sees a parent engrossed in reading regularly they will want to be Just Like Dad/Mom and "read" something of their own. So in addition to having a variety of childrens books around, it's important for a parent to enjoy reading and own grown up reading material (newspapers, magazines and books).

    Reply
  15. dadsthewayilikeit says

    December 13, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Really liked reading this. Our son is only eight months old but he's already joined our local library.

    Jonathan

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Newsletter!


For ages…

Grade School
Preschool
Toddler
Baby

Search for an Activity

POPULAR POSTS

Virtual Field Trips for Kids
Classroom placement request

elementary school classroom

Easter Eggs stacked using Playdough for STEM Challenge
10 things to put in a pinata that are not candy
spring virtual field trips for kids with flowers, trees, baby animals and more
April Activities for Kids After School plus free activity calendar

GRAB OUR BOOK!

100 fun and Easy Learning Games for Kids Book Cover Standing

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You Might Also Like

Child decorating for Easter with Bunting and Colorful Eggs.

40 Easter Activities for Kids

The Mighty 5 Virtual Field Trips for Kids to Utah's National Parks

Mighty 5 Virtual Field Trip for Kids: Utah’s National Parks

Spring STEM Activities for Kids, 3 dimensional egg structures PLUS 3 more STEM Learning Center Ideas

Spring STEM Activities for Kids

spring virtual field trips for kids with flowers, trees, baby animals and more

Spring Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Easter Basket Ideas for babies with hands on fun.

Ideas for Easter Baskets for Babies

Let’s Connect!

Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities and even recipes for kids!
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023