• Sharing books together chatting about the pictures helps learning to read
• spending 10 minutes focussed time each day chatting, playing or reading with your child can make a huge differ when they start school
• Sharing a story supports cognitive development and improves language skills, increases concentration, improves imagination and creativity
• Sharing books cultivates a lifelong love of reading and develops a special bond with your child

The National Literacy Trust have great activities from bonding with you bump to sharing stories together.

For Babies:

• Interactive Storytime: Use books with textures, flaps, and bright colors. Let the baby touch and explore the book while you read.
• Sing and Read: Combine reading with singing. Many baby books have rhymes that can be sung, making the experience more enjoyable.
• Routine Reading: Incorporate reading into daily routines, like before naps or bedtime, to create a comforting habit.

For Toddlers:

• Picture Books: Choose books with large, colorful pictures and simple text. Ask questions about the pictures to engage them.
• Reading Nook: Create a cozy reading space with pillows and their favorite stuffed animals to make reading time special.
• Storytelling with Props: Use puppets or toys to act out stories. This makes the story come alive and keeps toddlers interested.

For Young Children:

• Reading Challenges: Set up a reading challenge with a reward system. For example, a sticker chart where they earn a sticker for each book read.
• Library Visits: Make regular trips to the library to pick out new books. Let them choose what they want to read.
• Family Reading Time: Set aside a specific time each day where the whole family reads together. This shows that reading is a valued activity.

1. Themed Reading Days: Choose a theme for the day, like animals or colors, and read books related to that theme. You can also do related activities, like drawing or playing games.
2. Book and Craft Combo: After reading a story, do a simple craft related to the book. For example, if you read a book about fish, you could make fish out of paper plates.
3. Story Walks: Create a story walk by placing pages of a book along a path in your home or garden. As you walk, read each page together.
4. Reading Apps: Use interactive reading apps designed for toddlers. These can make reading more engaging with sounds and animations.
5. Character Dress-Up: Dress up as characters from the book you’re reading. This can make the story more exciting and memorable.
6. Reading Picnic: Have a picnic in your living room or backyard and bring along some favorite books to read together.
7. Book Swap: Organize a book swap with friends or family. This way, you can introduce new books without buying them.
8. Storytelling with Music: Incorporate musical instruments or background music while reading. This can enhance the storytelling experience.
9. Interactive Questions: While reading, ask your toddler to predict what will happen next or to find objects in the pictures. This keeps them engaged and thinking.
10. Personalized Books: Create a simple book with your toddler as the main character. You can use photos and simple text to make it relatable and fun.

These activities can make reading a fun and interactive experience for toddlers, helping to foster a love for books from an early age.

Be a Role Model: Let children see you reading. They are more likely to read if they see adults enjoying it.

Discuss Books: Talk about the stories you read. Ask open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and comprehension.

Variety of Books: Offer a range of books, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and even comics. This helps find what interests them the most.