Make Time to Read with Your Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

 Whether you’re looking for a quiet moment with your child during a busy day or intent on building their early literacy skills, reading together is one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent. For children ages birth to five, reading isn't just fun—it’s foundational. The words, rhythms, pictures, and bonding that happen during story time all help build brain connections, language skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

Reading with your child just a few minutes a day can:

• Build vocabulary and language skills

• Support brain development and imagination

• Strengthen parent-child bonding

• Prepare children for school success

• Create calm, cozy moments

 And the best part? You don’t need to wait until they can read on their own. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers all benefit from hearing stories, seeing pictures, and bonding with you over books. Read on for tips by age, favorite book picks, and resources to keep your little one turning pages all year long.

For Babies (Birth-12 Months)

Babies love hearing your voice. Books with simple patterns, high-contrast images, and soothing rhymes are perfect.

Focus on: Rhythm, repetition, and bonding

Recommended titles:

• Look, Look! by Peter Linenthal

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

• Black & White by Tana Hoban

• Where Is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz

• Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children

• Baby Faces by DK

• Hello, Farm! by Maddie Frost

Tip: It’s okay if your baby chews the book—board books are made for that!

For Toddlers (1–3 Years)

Toddlers learn through repetition. They love books about animals, feelings, body parts, and routines. They like to point, label, and repeat favorite lines while you read together.

Focus on: Naming, pointing, exploring

Recommended titles:

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

• Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

• Llama Llama Nighty-Night by Anna Dewdney

• Whose Toes are Those? by Jabari Asim

• The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

• Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill

Tip: Let your toddler turn the pages (even out of order!) and name pictures they recognize.

For Preschoolers (3–5 Years)

Preschoolers enjoy longer stories, silly characters, and relatable themes about friendships, fears, and new real-life experiences like starting preschool or visiting grandparents.

Focus on: Story structure, emotions, and curiosity

Recommended titles:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

• Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

• The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

• Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

• Saturday by Oge Mora

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

• Whose Toes are Those? by Jabari Asim

Tip: Ask open-ended questions as you read: “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think she feels?”

Reading together is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to support your child’s development. Even just 10 minutes a day can help build a love of books—and it gives you a chance to slow down and connect.

Need help making reading with your child a daily habit? Try:

• Making it part of your bedtime or naptime routine

• Keeping a book basket in the car, the living room, or even the bathroom

• Reading outdoors under a tree or in a shady spot

• Letting your child pick the book—even if it’s the same one every night!

• Joining a library story time or reading challenge

Whether you're reading a bedtime favorite for the 100th time or discovering a new story at the library, books are one of the best gifts you can give your child. A few pages a day builds a foundation that lasts a lifetime.

Reading Resources:

• Georgia Public Library Service Summer Reading Program
  Many Georgia libraries offer free summer reading programs for children under the age of 5. You can earn rewards, join story times, and get personalized book suggestions from children's librarians. Find a library near you here.

• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (available at many GA libraries)
  A year-round program to encourage early literacy through daily reading. Ask your local branch how to join!

• Georgia PINES (free access to eBooks & audiobooks)
  Use your PINES library card to access children’s books online through services like Libby and eRead Kids.

• Zero to Three – Read Early and Often
  Reading tips and guides for babies and toddlers.

• Reading Rockets – Book Finder Tool
  Find age-appropriate books by topic, theme, and author.