Family Resources
Reading, talking, and connecting with your child daily has been shown to dramatically improve language skills and set your child up for success in school.
RESOURCES FOR ALL AGES
TIPS
Look for funny books with rhymes and silly pictures.
Your child understands books and stories, and they help them learn about the world.
As new skills develop, your child finds new ways to share books.
Books are an important part of family life and routines (naptime, bedtime, bath time).
Resources
for All Ages
0-6 Months
Tips:
Books are a tool for hearing your voice and listening to language.
Your baby cries, coos and babbles to tell you different needs and wants.
Your baby begins to reach or roll for objects.
Your baby may put books in their mouth.
Resources:
6-12 Months
Tips:
Your baby may point with one finger to indicate interest in a picture.
Your baby hands you a book when he wants to hear a story.
Your baby can listen to a story.
Your baby speaks 1-2 words.
Resources:
12-24 Months
Tips:
Your toddler has a growing vocabulary.
Your toddler explores alone but wants you to be close.
Your toddler refers to “I” or “me” more often.
Your toddler corrects you if you change a word in a book she knows.
Resources:
2-3 Years
Tips:
Imaginary games (e.g., dolls) are increasing.
Your toddler may not sit still to listen to a whole book. That is okay!
Your toddler is starting to include other children in play and games.
Your toddler knows the correct sound for animals (e.g., cat meows).
Resources:
3-4 Years
Tips:
Your child engages in fantasy play.
Your child can sing songs or recites poems from memory.
Your child can name four colors.
Your child can guess what he thinks is going to happen next in a book.
Resources:
4-5 Years
Tips:
Your child has knowledge of the alphabet and numbers.
Your child is curious.
Your child may re-tell stories and memorize her favorite books.
Your child can read to you—but don’t stop reading to them, and enjoy taking turns.
Resources:
Pregnancy
Tips:
It is never too early to start sharing books.
Read anything and everything out loud (a bus sign, a newspaper, a recipe, etc.)
By week 24, your baby recognizes—and is calmed by—your voice.
At week 26, your baby’s eyes open and close.
Resources:
