Make reading a habit as early as possible. Let your children enhance their imagination and explore the world through reading. The different pictures, types of language, rhymes and sounds introduce a very valuable knowledge your kids can grow up with. Regular storytelling time does not only stimulate your children’s brain, but it also helps establish a strong bond between you and your children, making them feel secure and well-loved.

Set a reading time everyday
Fifteen to thirty minutes before bed time work best! Kids would do anything to delay bedtime. They would always look forward to this special time for reading. It would be good to set a rule on how many stories to read at night (otherwise, it will be a never-ending “one more story, please”!).

Make reading fun
Toddlers and preschoolers are very curious and inquisitive. Let them interact as you read the story. They ask so many questions. They love to name the characters. They relate parts in the story to the events in your day. They are delighted to copy the sounds and the act out the pictures in the story.

Same story, over and over
It’s ok to read the same story over and over and over. In fact, you will be surprised that they have memorized the story, word for word!

Visible and reachable books
Place your children’s books on a shelf accessible to them. Let them choose the story for the night. They would be more attentive if you read the story they really love.

Visit your local library
Take advantage of the toddler and pre-school storytelling programs in your local library. Children love to imitate and seeing other kids their age participating in these programs enhances their love for reading.

Here are some of our personal favorites …

1. Guess who, baby duck! / Amy Hest ; illustrated by Jill Barton.
   About a loving grandfather duck cheering up a baby duck who is sick with a cold.
2. Eating the alphabet : fruits and vegetables from A to Z / by Lois Ehlert. by Ehlert, Lois. Introduces the alphabet through the various fruits and vegetables.
3. Pumpkin soup / Helen Cooper. About a Squirrel, a Duck and a Cat living together, each having his own special role in the house.
4. Guess Who's Coming, Jesse Bear / by Nancy White Carlstrom ; illustrated by Bruce Degen. A cousin visits Jesse Bear. Introduces the days in a week.
5. Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? / by Bill Martin, Jr. ; pictures by Eric Carle Animals. Colors. Finish the sentence with the animal in the following page.
6. Panda bear, panda bear, what do you see? / by Bill Martin Jr. ; pictures by Eric Carle. Animals. Colors. Finish the sentence with the animal in the following page.
7. A-hunting we will go! / Steven Kellogg. Preparations before bedtime.
8. Good night, Baby Bear / Frank Asch. Bedtime book. Mommy Bear helps Baby Bear fall asleep.
9. Whose baby am I John Butler.
   Animals. Guess who the baby animals belong to.
10. Good thing you’re not an octopus! / story by Julie Markes; pictures by Maggie Smith. By Markes,Julie. A boy learns his life is pretty easier compared to how it might be if he were an octopus.