Being a Toddler is All about ACTION!

To keep toddlers interest in books and reading, keep things lively and engaging! Toddlers need to move! So, don't worry if they skip, romp or jump around as you read to them- they ARE listening!

Rhymes, chants and songs are a great way to encourage language development because the natural rhythms encourage the child to move and join in! These are short, simple and repetitive phrases that they can learn quickly. Once they master them, make mistakes on purpose, so they can catch the mistake!

Pay attention to your child! If they don't seem engaged in a story (even if you think they should know it or you think it's the best book in the world- one of your favorites from childhood maybe...) stop reading it and choose another! Choose books they respond to- ones with animal sounds, machine noises, ones that they can mimic or participate! Books that they search for recurring things or flaps or textures all encourage participation.

Short stories and then repeat! Repeat and then repeat! And then repeat again....Read a little at a time, many times a day!

Side Note:
Parents often ask me about their little one in Tales for Twos. They worry that something is wrong because their child won't sit calmly or they may even be embarrassed. It's natural for parents also to look at other children and make comparisons, but every child is unique and at a different stage of development.

The moving around is natural. This is a normal developmental stage. I always encourage parents to keep coming. The toddlers moving around in Tales for Twos is not a distraction or interruption for me. I expect it. Prolonged screaming or crying is a distraction for everyone because no one can hear. Usually, for me, the biggest distraction is the parent trying to prevent the toddler from moving- trying to force the child to remain calmly in their lap. The struggle itself, the frustration or embarrassment of the parent and the inevitable screaming and crying becomes a disruption for all. So, please try letting them roam around and I will adjust if needed. If I sense we need movement, I will make it happen!

On the other hand, little siblings along for an older program who jump around do sometimes become a distraction because the older children can sit and listen to a longer book. It is my hope that parents understand the distinction. That is why I encourage parents to take that younger child out of the room, so the older ones can enjoy the stories. The toddler can't sit still for that length of time.