Reading with Babies and Toddlers: Extending Learning with Play

What happens when you take everyday materials and add your favorite books?

Babies and Toddlers should be exposed to literature every day! It doesn’t matter if you snuggle in before bedtime, read books in the bath, or even read outside on the front lawn, it is important to read and interact with your children!

We LOVE BOOKS!

Part of reading with babies and toddlers is developing a love for books.  We do this by

• Smiling as we read.
• Making our reading time positive and enjoyable.
• Reading often.
• Reading a variety of books and reading materials.
• Showing a genuine interest in books.
• Extending the reading though play.

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Building a LOVE BOOK Activity for Babies and Toddlers

As a mom and a teacher, I find that I like to extend our stories into play. Using everyday household materials I have created 4 toddler LOVE BOOK activities using everyday materials. You can use these ideas to create your own LOVE BOOK activity for your child!

What you need:

Supplies that you feel are safe and appropriate for your child.

I had…

• finger paint
• egg carton
• empty cereal boxes
• paper
• a wooden spoon
• pom poms
• plastic bowl

And a few books from your shelves (or stop by the library to check out some new ones.)

How to assemble:

Read the story and think about a way to connect the book to a skill that your child is working on?

Story telling with puppets

• Hand sketch the characters on the back of a cereal box.
• Cut them out. (parent task
• If your little one is old enough, let them paint or color.
• Add a loop in the back to stick your finger in.Re-tell the story with puppets!

Hide and seek eggs

• Use a clean egg carton
• Cut egg shapes out of white tag board or paper (parent task)
• Hide the eggs.
• Look for the eggs.
• “NO eggs here, Oh Dear!”

Mix and scoop to make a cake

• Gather pom-poms, a bowl and spoon.
• Mix them, stir them, pat them.
• And pretend to make a cake!
• Work on scooping and pouring – it’s great for strengthening fine motor muscles!

Mix finger paint colors to reinforce a concept in the book

• Let your little one mix yellow and blue to make ONE green frog.
• A great early science lesson!

Need help deciding what books to use? Here is a great article on choosing books for babies and toddlers.

Here are some additional resources for using board books with your toddler or baby…