BUILD A BETTER WORLD - FOR BIRTH-36 MONTHS

FUN, EASY ACTIVITES TO DOWITH YOUR CHILD

• Find objects in your home like those in a book you’re reading.

• Narrate what you’re doing: “I’m tying your shoes.”

• Make a cozy place with pillows and blankets to read together.

• Recite a nursery rhyme while bouncing your child in rhythm.

• Attend a FREE Library storytime.

• Give your child old magazines to practice turning pages.

• Ask your child to point to objects in book illustrations.

• Sit on a blanket outside and read together.

• Read out loud the words on signs at the park or on the street.

• Learn a fingerplay with your child. This link has ideas: www.wccls.org/rhymes.

• Let your child hear you reading your own book, newspaper or magazine out loud.

• Let your child choose the book you read together.

• Name aloud the things you see as you walk in the neighborhood.

• Make all the sound effects as you read a story.

• Sign up to get Toddler Tips by Text at DaytonMetroLibrary.org/earlyliteracy.

• Ask your child to point to specific objects or colors they see.

• Look for bugs outside, then share a book about insects.

• Read a book using your silliest voices.

• Read labels and signs aloud to your child at the grocery store.

• Borrow a children’s music CD from the Library and listen to it in the car.

• Share a book with flaps, textures or movable parts.

• Have a “conversation” with your baby using nonsense sounds.

• Play music and dance with your child.

• Read a book about an experience your child will have, like a doctor visit.

• Download children’s eBooks, video or music from DaytonMetroLibrary.org.

• Visit a fire station and read a book about fire fighters.

• Let your child turn the pages of the book you share.

• Play “I Spy Something Red” and the other colors you see.

• Read a book about animals and let your child make the animal sounds.

• Sign up for FOCUS Early Literacy email news at DaytonMetroLibrary.org.

• Use your phone or tablet to video record a loved one reading, singing or doing a fingerplay. While waiting in line, or before bed, watch the video together.

• So called “educational media” isn’t always educational. Check out the website Common Sense Media; it’s published by a nonprofit organization that reviews and recommends quality movies, music, apps and more.

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BUILD A BETTER WORLD - FOR BIRTH-36 MONTHS

• Talk to your Children’s Librarian about your child and get book recommendations especially for her.

• Make a book about things your child does every day, and read the book aloud.

• Print your child’s name in big letters and help him trace the letters with his finger.

• Hide behind a chair, letting your child see part of you. Call out, “Where am I? Come find me.”

• Take a picture of your child “reading,” then look at it and talk about it together.

• Read a book about vehicles and the sounds they make.

• Shake a rattle or jar of dried beans in rhythm to a song.

• Sing to your child (your favorite songs as well as theirs).

• Sing the ABCs in the car together.

• Create a spot in your home for a box or basket of board books your child can easily reach.

• Bring a doll or stuffed animal to the Library and have the toy engage in activities with your child.

• Learn and say a counting rhyme with your child.

• Ask your toddler silly questions to which the answer is “no” (every toddler’s favorite word): “Does the cat drive the car?” “Does daddy use a sippy cup?”

• Use shaving cream as fingerpaint to draw and make letters on a table.

• Let your toddler complete familiar rhymes (“Hickory dickory ___, the mouse ran up the ___”).

• Play a version of “Simon Says” (“Simon says jump,” “Simon says touch your toes”).

• At the Library, let your child choose picture books from the shelves to read.

• Blow bubbles for your child to watch and track.

• Encourage your child to scribble, color and “sign” his artwork.

• Use a ruler or spoon and tap on objects to explore sound.

• Play “Goodnight, Elbow” at bedtime, saying aloud and pointing to each part on your child.

• As you read aloud to your child, follow the text with your finger.

• Count the things your little one is paying attention to: blocks, flowers, puzzle pieces.

• Change the words to familiar tunes such as Twinkle, Twinkle: “Now it’s time to take a nap, I think I will take one too!”

• Go ahead and read the same book over and over! Research shows repeated reading helps kids learn new vocabulary.

• Ask your child to dictate a letter to a family member, and your child can sign his name.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIESYou can make it beautiful!

COLOR YOUR WORLD

• Children love stories about themselves. There are apps that allow you to make books with your own photos as illustrations. Use your phone or tablet to take pictures and write descriptive text of your daily routine. You’re an author now!

• Find an app where you can record a voice, then get grandma, a friend or relative to read a favorite story for your child.