Book Week is not just for big kids—how to engage babies and toddlers at story time

Book Week encourages parents and caregivers to foster a love of reading in babies and toddlers. However, very young children may become distracted and restless during story time. To maximize the benefits of reading, research indicates that reading to children for at least 11 minutes per day can lead to stronger vocabulary skills by the time they start school.

For babies aged 1-2, one-on-one story time centered around their interests and daily routines can hold their attention. Parents can ask related questions, such as pointing to a picture and asking, "What's that? That's a puppy!" Making connections between the book's content and the baby's own life helps develop a deeper understanding of the world.

If a baby becomes restless or distracted, it's acceptable to stop reading and move on to another activity. When selecting picture books, look for those that babies can interact with, such as lifting flaps or touching different textures. Stories featuring familiar aspects of the baby's life, like eating dinner or playing with siblings, are particularly engaging. Repetition and simple rhymes in picture books can also help maintain a baby's attention.

Toddlers aged 2-3 may be unsettled or distracted when asked to sit still and listen to a story. To enhance story time for them, choose picture books that resonate emotionally with both parents and children. Authors like Alison Lester, Rosemary Wells, Julia Donaldson, Helen Oxenbury, Martin Waddell, and Janet and Allan Ahlberg offer humorous, gentle, and insightful picture books that enrich the lives of babies, toddlers, and families.

Additionally, selecting books that represent various cultures can be beneficial. Local libraries often host storytime events for young children and parents, providing a wealth of picture books to choose from. Interactive, responsive storytime sessions that incorporate gestures, voices, and play can also greatly benefit babies and toddlers.