Help Toddlers Enjoy Reading: 5 Things I Do as an SLP
Reading with toddlers is one of the most joyful and impactful ways to support early language and literacy skills. As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and mom, I’ve discovered simple, playful strategies that make storytime engaging and meaningful—strategies to truly help toddlers enjoy reading.
Whether you’re just starting a reading routine or looking to boost your child’s interest, these five tips will help spark your toddler’s passion for books—and set the foundation for lifelong learning.
1. Make Books Interactive
Toddlers learn best when they’re actively involved. During storytime, point to pictures and ask simple questions like, “What’s this?” or “Can you find the dog?” This turns reading into a fun game that builds vocabulary and keeps your toddler engaged. Change up your intonation as you read—use a soft, quiet voice for gentle characters and a silly, energetic voice for playful ones. Your toddler will love it and may even start acting out the story themselves. (Just try reading Where the Wild Things Are and turning the “wild rumpus” into a game—you’ll thank me later!)
Why it works: Interaction encourages toddlers to think about the story and respond, strengthening their language skills and attention.
Pro tip: Use finger pointing, sound effects, or even props related to the story to make it even more fun!
2. Use Repetitive Books
Books with repeated phrases—like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? or Goodnight Moon—are toddler favorites for a reason. The repetition helps toddlers predict words and join in, boosting their confidence and memory.
Why it works: Repetitive language supports word recognition and encourages participation, making your toddler feel like an active storyteller.
Pro tip: Pause before a repeated phrase and invite your toddler to say it with you!
3. Create a Reading Routine
Consistency builds anticipation. Try to read with your toddler at the same time every day—before nap or bedtime works well. Bath time or car rides are also great opportunities—anytime you have your toddler’s attention is perfect for a reading moment. Using expressive voices and animated facial expressions makes stories come alive, capturing their attention and making reading something they look forward to.
Why it works: A routine provides structure, while expressive reading supports comprehension and listening skills.
Pro tip: Choose cozy spots and minimize distractions to create a special reading environment.
4. Connect Books to Life
Whenever possible, link stories to real-life experiences. If you’re reading about a dog, you might say, “Remember the dog we saw at the park? It looked just like the one in the book!” Or, when you see a dog at the park, you can reference the book you just read to make that connection. These connections deepen understanding and help toddlers relate what they read to the world around them.
Why it works: Relating stories to daily life strengthens comprehension and makes reading more meaningful.
Pro tip: Use photos from your outings or play pretend to bring book themes to life.
5. Let Them “Read”
Even before toddlers can read words, encourage them to turn pages, hold the book, or retell the story using their own words or gestures. To support them, try reading part of a sentence and then pausing to let them finish it—this works especially well with repetitive or familiar books. This approach helps build early narrative skills and gives toddlers a sense of ownership over the reading experience.
Why it works: Active participation fosters enthusiasm and confidence, which are essential for developing a love of books.
Pro tip: Ask open-ended questions like, “What happens next?” Your toddler might not say much at first, but you can model answers and build excitement before turning the page to keep them engaged.
Final Thoughts
To help toddlers enjoy reading, you don’t need complicated techniques—just time, interaction, and a little creativity. By making books interactive, using repetition, building routines, connecting stories to real life, and letting your child take the lead, you’ll create joyful reading experiences that nurture language and imagination.
There are plenty of free books available! Be sure to sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sends free books to children ages 0–5. Also, explore free lending libraries in your neighborhood—your toddler will love “shopping” through the selections. Don’t forget to visit your local library. If you’re traveling, you don’t need to be a member to browse books or enjoy storytime sessions.
Remember: every child develops at their own pace. Keep it playful, keep it positive, and most of all—enjoy sharing the magic of stories together. For more topics, visit my blog.