Today, let’s discuss some tips for reading with an 18 month old. This is the current age of my son and each time he progresses in age, the ways I’m reading with him change. I try to jot some notes down to share because they change to dang quickly! Some tips, I was lucky enough to know from my profession as a speech-language pathologist and some tips I have simply learned just from being a mom. I’ve also given tips for reading with a 6 month old and tips for reading with a 12 month old.
Reading is very important from a young age. It helps connect letters and pictures to words, helps create imaginative play and helps work on different types of vocabulary. Reading also helps with attention and brain development. It’s fun to watch kids become more interactive while reading the older they get. Here are 7 tips to try when reading with an 18 month old. (Plus scroll to the end to find language and articulation ideas)
#1 REPEAT THEIR FAVORITES
Does your child want to read “Goodnight Moon” all the time? That is definitely okay! It is important to repeat books with them that are considered “their favorites.” This will help them start to learn sequencing and connect the words and pictures.
#2 LIFT-THE-FLAP BOOKS ARE FUN
18 months is the perfect age to begin using “Lift-the flap” books if you haven’t already. Lift-the-flap-books are fun and engaging and start to show cause and effect to your child. My son always loves when we read a lift-the-flap book.
Here are some of our favorites:
Snuggle the Baby (This one is SO sweet! Lift the flap and tickle the baby, take out the pop-out and feed the baby.)
Dear Zoo (We read this one every. Single. Day. in our house!)
Where is Baby’s Belly Button? We have several books in this series and they are all a hit!
#3 USE VOCABULARY BOOKS
Use different vocabulary books with your 18 month old. This will help build his or her language skills. Point out different words and show them the matching picture.
#4 USE BOOKS WITH SOUND
Kids love noise. Small babies especially love noise! Try using books with lots of sounds when reading with your 18 month old like: Vroom Vroom Garbage Truck.
#5 USE RHYTHM BOOKS
Rhythm books like “Brown Bear Brown Bear-What do you See?”are great for this age! Children can easily predict and try to “read along with you.” Books need to be fun and rhythm books make reading more exciting and engaging.
#6 TAKE PICTURE WALKS
Take picture walks and let your child study the pictures. Talk about what you notice in the pictures. This will help your child start to identify any new vocabulary in the pictures and get a feel for what is to come when reading the story.
#7 DO NOT RUSH
Find time to read books with your 18 month old when you are not rushing. If bedtime books are hard because your child is too tired, then just read during another part of the day. Sometimes we like to read after lunch as well or if your child is at daycare while you are at work, you could try reading first thing in the morning when they wake up or right when you get home from work.
#8 REPETITIVE BOOKS WITH EXPECTANT PAUSES
All those readings of your child’s favorite books are about to pay off! Next time you read, pause and see if they can fill in the last word to complete a familiar sentence.
LANGUAGE IDEAS TO DO WHILE READING:
-Label simple nouns and verbs
-Point to named items
-Make Animal noises
-Build excitement while reading and use inflection in your voice
-Pause and see if they fill in a word for favorite stories they know
ARTICULATION IDEAS TO DO WHILE READING:
Articulation is always important to start working on, no matter how young the child is. When reading, think about the word shapes you model. Try to model a variety of consonant – vowel (CV (cow), VC (up), CVC(cat), CVCV (boo boo)) words and notice which ones your little one can do now and which he is still working on. Remember to come back and practice this again so that this new skill will stick!.
Start reading routines as early as possible to help your child develop a true love for books as well as develop their speech and language!
Do you read with your children throughout the day? What are some of your favorite books for this age group?
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