Stages of Literacy a Guide for Parents: 1-2 years

Milestones: -carries book -holds book with help -turns board book pages -book no longer goes in mouth right away -points at pictures with one finger -begins labeling pictures (may not be conventional words) -points to pictures when asked wheres…? -turns book right side up -gives book to adult to read -fills in word for familiar stories -“reads” to stuffed animals -attention span variable What you can do: -let child control the book -ask questions Where’s the…?, What’s that…? -pause and let children complete sentences Some great books to try: Campbell, Rod. Dear zoo: a pop-up book. New York: Little Simon, 2005. Print.  This book tells the story of a child writing to a zoo in search of the perfect pet. The repetitive text and engaging lift-the-flap format is great for young readers. Parents can ask: What do you think is in the box? Would you like that as a pet? Why do you think that pet wasn't right?  What kind of pet would you like. Asking questions is an important part of reading to your child even if they can't answer you back yet! Grover, Lorie Ann, and Debra Ziss. Bedtime kiss for little fish. New York: Cartwheel Books, 2009. Print.  This board book is great for early literacy with it's simple rhyming scheme and predictablitly. Older toddlers will be able to finish the sentence on the page with repeated readings. Colorful pages will keep young children interested. Parents can ask: What is that? Where is the...? Have children finish the sentences with repeated readings. Walsh, Melanie. Do pigs have stripes?. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1996. Print This book teaches simple concepts about animals through a series of questions. Allows parents to ask questions of their young children with the question built in. Parents can ask: Who has a big black wet nose? etc and can encourage child to look at picture to make a guess (even if they are too young for this you are modeling this skill and behavior).