Talking to and reading to infants and toddlers are two good ways to prepare them for later success in reading.
Begin talking and singing to your child from birth. Your baby loves hearing your voice. Play peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake. Recite nursery rhymes or other verses that have strong rhythms and repeated sounds. Sing lullabies and other songs.
Let your baby know that you hear her babbles, coos, and
gurgles. Repeat the sounds she makes. Smile back. When you
respond to her sounds, she learns that what she “says”
means
something and is important to you. Sometimes, you can
supply the language for her.
When your baby stretches her arm toward her bottle and
says, “ga-ga-ga,”
say, “Oh, you’re ready for some more
milk? Here’s your milk. Isn’t it good!”
Play simple touching and talking games together. These games help a child learn what different parts of the body are called.
Ask “Where are your toes?”
Then touch your child’s toes
and say, “Here are your toes!”
Repeat several times, then
switch to fingers or ears or eyes or the nose.