The following home literacy activities are appropriate for infants and toddlers:

Reading

• Share colorful cardboard and cloth picture books with babies (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1997; International Reading Association & National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1998).

• Frequently read to toddlers (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1997).

• Hold babies and toddlers while reading to them (International Reading Association & National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1998).

• Read to toddlers individually or in groups of 2 to 3 children (International Reading Association & National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1998).

• Select books that connect to the child's experiences, and talk about those connections (Burns, Griffin, & Snow, 1999).

• Select reading materials that have rhyme, rhythm, or repetition, such as nursery rhymes (McMahon, 1996).

• End the reading session before the baby or toddler becomes restless or fussy so that the child does not feel negatively about reading (McMahon, 1996).

Book Talk

• Encourage toddlers to verbally label the pictures in a story or to describe actions and events (Burns, Griffin, & Snow, 1999; McGee & Richgels, 1996).

• Ask open-ended questions to encourage discussion and help the child focus on the details of a book. For example ask, "What is (the character) doing on this page?" (Burns, Griffin, & Snow, 1999).

Extended Discourse

• When talking to babies and toddlers, use "simple language, frequent eye contact, and responsiveness to children's cues and language attempts" (International Reading Association & National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1998).

• Use baths, driving, eating, and other routines as regular times to talk to children (Burns, Griffin, & Snow, 1999).

Language Play

• Play labeling games. Verbally label items and actions for the child. Encourage the child to join in (Burns, Griffin, & Snow, 1999).

• Frequently play with, talk to, sing to, and do fingerplays with young children (International Reading Association & National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1998).

Writing/Experimentation with Literacy Materials

• Provide simple art materials such as crayons, markers, and large sheets of paper for toddlers to experiment with (International Reading Association & National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1998).

Dramatic Play

• Provide puppets for the child (Burns, Griffin & Snow, 1999).

• Act out animals and other simple roles from the stories that are read together (Burns, Griffin & Snow, 1999).

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