As parents, we’re always looking for ways to enrich our kids' lives. Reading books together is one way to do just that. Reading the RIGHT books (books with topics they're interested in) to your child helps them develop a love for reading, as well as develop their imagination. Reading promotes the learning of important skills such as listening and following directions. It develops language and allows kids to be exposed to things outside their homes. Here are 10 books that you can read with your toddler to help strengthen your bond, build language, and gives your child something positive to focus on.
1. ‘Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site’
This simple board book is a great way to teach your toddler about nighttime and bedtime. It has simple text, with rhyming and repetitive phrases, making it easy for a child to understand. It also has amazing illustrations that will capture your little's interest. It’s a great book to use when you’re explaining the concept of sleep to your toddler who loves construction vehicles.
2. ‘If You Give a Moose a Muffin’
If You Give a Moose a Muffin is a classic book about sharing that will grow with your toddler. The book follows a little boy who gives a muffin to a moose which spirals into many other sharing moments. The book teaches kids that sharing is a positive thing to do in a way that makes them laugh. Kids typically love this book's fun illustrations, humor, and animals. We recommend this story for teaching children empathy and how to be generous.
3. ‘Where the Wild Things Are’
Where the Wild Things Are is a classic story about conquering one’s emotions and feelings. The book follows a little boy who is sent to his room for yelling. Soon his imagination goes wild. He is running around with his friends in wild, imaginative ways. The book encourages children to learn how to control their emotions and not let their feelings control them.
4. 'When I'm Feeling Red'
When I’m Feeling Red is a book about controlling anger. Red the dino feels angry and uses many different ways to calm himself down. This book teaches your child various tools for self-soothing when they are "red". The book also includes discussion questions you can use to practice complex discussions with little ones.
5. ‘Rainbow Fish’
Rainbow Fish is a classic story that teaches children the importance of sharing and that being "pretty" is not everything. The book follows a little fish with the most beautiful scales in the ocean. Because of this, he cannot play with the other fish and feels lonely. Eventually, the rainbow fish learns that sharing his scales allows him to make friends and be happy. This story is great for teaching the importance of sharing and the negatives of being boastful or vain.
Reading Leads to Brain Development
Reading books with your toddler and young learner combines visual and auditory stimulation that kids need to thrive. As you read your child not only takes in the images but watches your mouth move. This not only develops language and understanding of vocabulary but also helps them speak more clearly.
Pro Tip: Allow them to ask questions, point to images, and make comments as you read. Allowing kids to interact with you and the book will promote a love of reading and curiosity for learning. Never force them to sit still and be quiet, it stifles their desire to read and limits their curiosity and imagination.
We hope you enjoyed this list of books for toddlers! Which books did you add to the list? Become a member and share your favorite books with our groups!
Also Try 'Terry Tyrannosaurus Gets an Instrument'
Terry Tyrannosaurus Gets an Instrument is an adorable story about Terry the Tyrannosaurus who has a horrible day at school. Things just keep going wrong. His tail is too big, his arms are too little... And then in music class, Terry can't quite get the instruments to work. But, with the help of his friends, he is able to realize that he is perfect just the way he is. This book shows kids that nobody is perfect and that we are ALL perfect just the way we are, differences and all.