Before Reading the Story

Make sure your child is comfortable and can see the book. Read the title out loud. Show your baby the cover of the book and talk about it. Describe the illustration and what you think the book will be about.

While Reading the Story

Try to make a lot of eye contact with your baby as your read. Read one-to-one with your infant. Toddlers, though, may enjoy listening to a story in a very small group. Vary your voice to fit the characters and the events in the story.

Pause while you are reading to show your baby the pictures in the book. Share your own reactions to the story through your voice or gestures, and encourage your child to react to the story as well.

Keep your child's interest in the story by inviting him to participate. Let him touch the book and help you turn the pages. Invite your toddler to join in with rhymes, sounds, and repeated words or phrases. But also be aware that your baby may get tired before you finish a book, and that's okay. Change plans when your child loses interest in the book.

After Reading the Story

Let your child explore the book and play with toys and objects that remind her of the book. With your toddler, talk about the book and relate it to his own experiences.

Reread the story often. You may tire of it, but your baby won't! Plus, hearing the same story over and over again helps your child begin to recognize and remember words.