Building vocabulary through reading
For children with no words or just single words.
Language development starts very early in your child’s life. It’s important to remember, if you don’t say
it…they won’t learn it. We have to the say the words, use the words and ask them to repeat them. The
more words you say and show your child, the bigger their vocabulary will be.
Reading a book is a social interaction. It is an interaction between you and your child.
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Choose a child-friendly book
Choose brightly colored board or
plastic books your child can see,
touch, and feel. Choose books with
simple pictures or photos with bright
colors. Read books about families,
animals, toys, foods, etc.
Snuggle with your child as you
are reading.
Hold your child close as you look at
a book together. Your child will
enjoy the snuggling and hearing
your voice as well as the story.
Make it fun
It’s important to be silly. Make it fun.
Change your voice. Make your
voice sound happy, sad, or excited.
Play a game as you read. “I got the
ball (touch quickly), you get the ball
(touch quickly).” If you make it fun,
your child will have fun.
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Name the pictures
Touch the pictures in the book and
name them (ball). Take their hand
and touch the picture as you name it
(ball). Ask your child to touch the
picture and name it (ball).
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Describe the picture
Add one word to describe the
picture-red ball, bouncy ball, shiny
ball. Then use a sentence. “See the
red ball.” “The ball bounces.” “The
ball is shiny.”
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Follow your child’s lead.
If your child points at a picture,
name it for them. Talk about the
pictures. Describe it.
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Read noisy books
Read animal books. Name the
animal and make the animal noises.
Read car books and make car
noises. Read dinosaur books and
roar like a dinosaur.
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Keep it going
Turn to the next page and do it again
or have your child help you turn the
page. It’s important to keep reading
for as long as your child stays
interested.
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Sing the book
Use books that are also songs like
“the wheels on the bus” or “the itsy
bitsy spider”. Make the gestures for
the songs as you sing them.
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Repeat, repeat, repeat
Read the same book over and over.
Kids need lots of repetition. Give
your child a choice of which book to
read. Read frequently to your child
throughout the day and watch their
vocabulary grow.
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Take a break from technology
This is a time for you and your child
to interact without the distraction of
technology. This gift of time for
your child gives them the opportunity
to increase their social and language
skills.
Great Books for this level:
Moo, moo, bah, bah, la, la, la
Opposites
Blue Hat, Green Hat
Itsy Bitsy spider
Row, row, row your boat
Barney
What is it?
Where’s spot
Spot goes to school
B is Bear
All fall Down by Helen Oxenbury
Animals on the farm
Black on white by Tana Hoban
How Baby Grows by Stella Blackstone
My first baby games by Jane manning
Peek-a-Boo! By Janet and Ellen Ahlberg
The Real Mother Goose
Doggies by Sandra Boyton
Look and learn Machines
Goodnight gorilla
Other resources for more information:
Reading Rockets.com
Use your QR Reader app for a short video that demonstrates how to read to your child. You can
get a QR reader app for free. This will link you right to the video. Enjoy!!!