Toddlers

Reading stories before bed makes a good transition between active play and restful time. Toddlers may ask you to read their favorites repeatedly. They may begin to connect pictures with words, or fill in missing words if you hesitate. Let toddlers "write" shopping lists with you. They may want to watch you sort coupons and engage in other grocery store activities. Take short trips to new places and talk about what is happening around you. If possible, read together about similar events beforehand and again afterwards. Give children magnetic letters for the refrigerator, and begin spelling out words and names as toddlers are introduced to them.