How to Read Aloud to an 18- to 24-Month Old Baby

Your baby can read many things by the time they reach the 18- to 24-month old age range. A baby of this age is very verbal saying many words, copying your words and even combining words. Also, your baby is now starting to ask questions. This development makes for very interesting reading interactions between you and your baby.

Things You'll Need

• Children's books

Instructions

1. Select books that provide interesting and novel language. The language should be beyond your baby's everyday words.

2. Choose books that emphasize concepts your baby will learn in school such as: numbers, colors, letters and feelings.

3. Follow your baby's lead as he selects books. It's okay if your baby keeps switching books. Use this as an opportunity to introduce your baby to language through conversation. You can say, "Did you lose interest in that book? Oh, I see you selected a new book."

4. Permit your baby to sit or stand in any position that is comfortable.

5. Move your fingers under the words as you read them. You do not need to do this for the entire book, but if you read from the page do this occasionally to introduce your baby to the concept of left to right reading.

6. Model the correct pronunciation of words if your child mispronounces them. You should not be critical, but natural. For example if your child says, goggy, for doggy, you would say, "Yes, that is a doggy." You can place emphasis on the word doggy.

7. Animate your voice as your read to your baby. Babies at this age continue to enjoy variation in volume, pitch and speed of speech.

Tips & Warnings

• As long as your baby shows interest, continue to read books that you have read since your baby was a newborn.

• Use your baby's name while you are reading. This will help keep your baby interested.

• Don't continue reading a book to your child once they have lost interest.

• Don't feel the need to read the book from cover to cover.

• Don't imitate your child's mispronunciation. This may sound cute, but by imitating him you tell him that what he said was correct. Instead, repeat the word, using appropriate pronunciation, in a sentence.

Resources

• Check out Reading is Fundamental for more tips on reading with your baby.
• Get a step by step guide on reading to your baby at Readtoyourbaby.com.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a reading check-up guide.