talking
Talking with your child helps build language and vocabulary skills.
Game: Puppet Show
Related to: Telling a Story, Talk
Ask your child to tell you a story using puppets...
Game: What Goes Together
Related to: Knowing Letters, Talk
Engage your child in sorting and folding...
talking Tips
- When your child babbles or talks, listen carefully and answer. Even if you don't know what he means or he doesn't have the words to answer, talk to your child and ask him lots of questions.
- Children learn best by doing- and they love doing things with you. While sharing books with your child, encourage your child to talk about the story and pictures. Invite him to participate by asking questions. Then add more describing words to what your child says, including the character’s feelings, even if those words are not used in the book.
- Look at the front cover of a book and ask your child what they think the story will be about. Look at the pictures, and ask your child what he thinks will happen next. It’s fun to read and compare the prediction with what really happens.
Six skills that get your child ready for reading
Liking Books
Children who enjoy books will want to learn to read.
Hearing words
Hearing the smaller sounds in words helps children sound out written words.
Knowing words
Knowing many words helps children recognize written words and understand what they read.
Telling a story
Learning to tell a story helps children develop skills in thinking and understanding.
Seeing words
Familiarity with printed language helps children feel comfortable with books and reading.
Knowing letters
Knowing the names and sounds of letters helps children sound out words.
Dial-a-Story
Call 416-395-5400 anytime and listen to stories in 16 different languages.
Raising Confident Kids
A series of workshops for parents and caregivers.
Storytime at Home
Fun virtual storytimes filled with great books, rhymes and songs. Watch anytime on YouTube and sing along!