Here are some tips to make sharing a book with your young child a time of connection
and conversation:
• Try to be face-to-face with your child when you look at the book together. When
your child can see your facial expressions and gestures, he will learn more from you
and from the book.
• Let your child choose the book
• Let your child hold and explore the book
• Feel free to read the book over and over again if that’s what your baby wants – the
repetition will help him learn and remember new words
• Think of the book as a “conversation starter”. Besides reading the words on the
page, you can talk about the pictures and help your child connect the book to his
everyday experiences.
• Most of all – have fun! Be animated, use gestures, and follow your child’s lead by
focusing on and talking about what he is interested in. This will nurture his early
love of books.