​Promoting Early Literacy: Tips for Parents

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What kids like in books

Infants 0-6 months

• Books with simple, large pictures or designs with bright colors.
• Stiff cardboard, "chunky" books, or fold out books that can be propped up in the crib.
• Cloth and soft vinyl books with simple pictures of people or familiar objects that can go in the bath or get washed.

Infants 6-12 months

• Board books with photos of other babies.
• Brightly colored "chunky" board books to touch and taste!
• Books with photos of familiar objects like balls and bottles.
• Books with sturdy pages that can be propped up or spread out in the crib or on a blanket.
• Plastic/vinyl books for bath time.
• Washable cloth books to cuddle and mouth.
• Small plastic photo albums of family and friends.

Young Toddlers 12-24 months

• Sturdy board books that they can carry.
• Books with photos of children doing familiar things like sleeping or playing.
• Goodnight books for bed time.
• Books about saying hello and good-bye.
• Books with only a few words on each page.
• Books with simple rhymes or predictable text.
• Animal books of all sizes and shapes.

Toddlers 2-3 years

• Books that tell simple stories.
• Simple rhyming books that they can memorize.
• Bed time books.
• Books about counting, the alphabet, shapes, or sizes.
• Animal books, vehicle books, books about playtime.
• Books with their favorite TV characters inside.
• Books about saying hello and good-bye.

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Can't wait for a read-aloud story? Storyline Online has free stories read aloud by screen actor guild members and activities based on the books.

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