7 Teacher-Recommended Reading Strategies to Use at Home

Watching our little ones read—not chew—their books is a milestone many parents look forward to. Not only does it show that they’re developing focus and curiosity, they’re also growing language and cognitive skills. And if you’re looking to keep the ball rolling, you’re in luck. Here are some teacher-approved strategies for reading at home to help your kids deepen their love for books. 

Why Books are Great for Toddlers 

Reading opens whole new worlds of adventure for your little one. It lets them believe anything is possible, encourages them to dream big and be creative.

Research published in Pediatrics shows that reading skills activates areas of the brain related to understanding and visual imagery, even before your child can fully converse. This helps build language skills, comprehension, and attention span. 

Beyond language, reading also builds parent-child bonding. One review in the Philippine Journal of Psychology pointed out that shared reading doesn’t just teach words but helps toddlers feel calmer and more secure.

Tried-and-Tested Reading Strategies to Try With Your Toddler

You know that feeling when you open a book and your toddler grabs it right out of your hands, either to “read” it themselves or turn straight to the last page? Totally natural. Toddlers aren’t just listening during story time; they’re learning how books work, one page-flip at a time.

Here are some teacher-approved, mom-tested tips to build child's reading skills—no pressure, no flashcards required.

1. Let your toddler take charge

Building your child’s love for books involves critical reading strategies like asking questions, making predictions, and talking about the story together.

During reading time, hand the book over to your kiddo and let them take the lead. And yes, it’s okay if they skip ahead or choose the same book over and over again.  It builds motor skills and keeps them in charge, which helps improve attention span and memory, according to a study in Early Childhood Research Quarterly.

2. Ask questions

Before you even start reading, flip through the book and talk about the pictures together. Ask things like, “What’s that animal?” or “What do you think happens next?” This helps toddlers predict words and recognize patterns. Research in Early Childhood Research Quarterly highlights how using open-ended questions during reading strengthens toddlers’ expressive language abilities.

3. Point and label

Don’t just read the words, point to what’s on the page. Say things like, “Here’s a red apple! The apple is round.” The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pointing and naming objects while reading as part of dialogic reading. It helps toddlers connect sounds to visuals and builds vocabulary more effectively than just reading through the text.

4. Get silly with voices and sounds

Switch up your voice for different characters or add sound effects like animal noises. It might feel silly, but toddlers love it, and it helps with memory, too. A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that incorporating playfulness and exaggeration in reading boosts toddler engagement and retention of new words.

5. Let your child finish your sentences

Once a story is familiar, try pausing: “Twinkle, twinkle, little…” and let them say “star!” This back-and-forth helps them feel like active participants. The Journal of Child Language notes that fill-in-the-blank reading technique helps toddlers practice expressive language while building confidence.

6. Relate the story to real life

After reading about a dog in a book, you could say, “Remember Lily’s dog?” This helps toddlers apply what they hear to their real-world experiences. According to a study in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, connecting story content to everyday life strengthens memory retention, comprehension skills, and social-emotional skills in young children.

7. Keep it short and sweet

If they’re done after two pages, that’s okay. Even five minutes counts. Frontiers in Psychology reports that brief, regular reading sessions—not just long ones—help toddlers develop stronger vocabulary and emotional regulation. It’s not about marathon sessions but more of showing up consistently.

At the end of the day, the best strategies for reading with toddlers aren’t about perfection; they’re about connection. Whether it’s using silly voices, asking simple questions, or letting them turn the pages, these small, playful moments build your child’s love for stories while boosting their language skills.