How to Teach a Toddler to Read

Toddlers enjoy many things about reading: rhythm, repetition, a captivating story and a happy ending. Reading improves a child's vocabulary and critical thinking skills and broadens the imagination. Although there are many expensive programs available that claim to help toddlers learn to read, with a trip to the library and various simple materials, you can patiently and lovingly teach your toddler how to read and make reading time an exciting, enjoyable learning experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Picture books
  • Alphabet books
  • Flashcards
  • Board books
  • Early readers
  • Sticky note paper

Instructions

    • 1

      Make up stories together. Look at picture books and create a tale, or make up the first line of a story and ask your child to decide what happens next. This activity will stretch your child's imagination and help develop a love for stories and reading.

    • 2

      Teach your child the alphabet, the sounds each letter makes and words that begin with every letter. Use alphabet books, flashcards with upper and lowercase letters and websites like Starfall.com to improve their phonics skills. These beginning lessons will help your child begin to sound out words.

    • 3

      Label items in your home. Write the name of an object on sticky note paper and stick it to the matching object. Your child will begin to relate each item with the written word.

    • 4

      Fill your child's bookshelf with stories he may enjoy and plenty of board books for early readers.

    • 5

      Read to your child every day. Let your child pick stories that interest her. Point to each word on the page as you say it. This will help your child connect the sound and meaning of the word with what the word looks like on the page. Your toddler will likely enjoy reading the same stories over and over. Before long, she will be able to recite the book from memory and "read" along.

    • 6

      Read your child's early reader books, pointing to each word as you go. Read slowly so he can understand the story. Ask your child to help you sound out words when he is able.

    • 7

      Ask your child questions about the books you read. Remind your child of three things that happened in the story and ask which event happened at the beginning, middle and end of the story. Find out what she thinks might happen after the end of the story.

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