Tips for Sitting & Reading with a Busy Toddler
If you have a wiggly little one who’s always on the move, we know sitting down to read together can be daunting! So today, we’re sharing 5 tips for sitting and reading with a busy toddler. These tips can help keep them engaged for short periods. Remember, positive experiences with books are key, so don’t force it. Repeated exposure in a fun way is key.
The Benefits of Reading for Babies and Toddlers
Books can teach our kids new words, help them explore new concepts, and even reinforce the lessons we’re teaching them at home, like daily routines and people’s names. But even though they’re full of great lessons, reading the entire book from cover to cover isn’t necessary. In fact, it’s not even the goal.
Reading with your little one starting at an early age helps fosters their love of books, reading, and learning. Positive experiences with books early on in life helps them to build a strong foundation for learning to read.
Make Reading With a Busy Toddler Easier
If you’d love to spend more time reading together, but have trouble getting your toddler to participate, try these 5 tips at your next story time:
#1 Bring the Book to Life
Help the books you read together come to life by making them fun! Books with repetition and opportunities for participation are especially good for this, but you can make any book exciting if you:
Act silly
Use different voices
Make funny faces, or
Let your child be involved.
You know your child best, and often times they’re going to love anything fun or silly that you do!
#2 Pick Books They Love
If your toddler doesn’t seem to want to read that much, double check that you’re picking books on topics they’re interested in and are age appropriate. Do they love trucks? Dinosaurs? Babies? Great! Get books that feature these themes.
If you find a book they really seem to like, check and see if the author has written other similar books.
Related: How To Choose Engaging Books for Babies & Toddlers
#3 Let Them Wiggle & Play
I know it’s hard, but don’t demand that your child sit and be still. It’s developmentally appropriate for toddlers to be on the move. We often read with the kids we work with while they are standing and moving a bit.
It’s completely fine if your little one is pushing a truck or rocking their baby if it’s keeping them engaged while you read together.
#4 Try a Different Time of Day
Many parents will include books as a part of a bedtime routine, but sometimes by that time of the day, everyone is just DONE!
Instead of having a set reading time, keep books they like readily available in the space they play in, and try reading at a few different times throughout the day. Even snack or meal times can sometimes work! We like to keep books in a few places around the house for our kids to explore.
#5 Make the Book Your Own
We’re going to let you in on a little secret: you don’t actually have to stick to words on the page! You have full permission to add silly words, invent new situations, and simplify complicated storylines-- whatever you think your child will enjoy most. Even just chatting about a few things that a catch their attention is great!
You’ve got this!
Remember, by exposing your child to books, you’re helping to support a strong foundation in language and literacy development. We promise it’s worth the effort, so don’t give up! Try switching things up, and keep things fun and light. You can totally do this!
Want to peek inside our bookbag?
Whenever we speak at parenting groups about reading and choosing engaging books, we get asked for a list of my favourites. This inspired us to turn our book list into a free download that you can print and take to the library or bookstore with you. Click the link below to grab a copy of the handout we share at our talks!