Learn new words every day.
• Speak using groups of words ("Ned go out.")
• Take turns while talking with people.
• Ask many questions ("What that?")
• Name objects in picture books ("Ball.")
• Follow two-part directions ("Pick up the socks and put them in the basket.")
• Say "no" and "not."
• Copy adult voices and actions.
• Follow simple stories.
• Look at books on their own.
• Join in when a book has rhymes and repeated words.
• Scribble with crayons and washable markers.

Rosa tugs on her mom's arm and says, "Wet." Mom says, "Your diaper is wet. Let's go change it."
Rosa lies down on the changing table. Her mom washes her hands and tells Rosa what she's doing. "I'm washing away all the germs so you will stay healthy. I'm taking off your shorts. They're red, like your sneakers." Rosa says, "Red sneakers." Mom takes a diaper from the shelf. She replaces Rosa's wet diaper with a dry one. "All done," says Mom. "Wash hands?" asks Rosa. "Yes," says Mom. "Let's wash our hands." Rosa heads for the sink, singing. "This way, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands." Mom sings along, then says, "Rosa, you learned a new song to sing." "Sing song," says Rosa.

She communicates her needs using groups of words.
She repeats words she hears adults speak.
She learns a simple song.
She asks questions.
She answers questions. Rosa's mom helps her learn about language:
She responds to Rosa's request by answering with a group of words.
She describes what she is doing and names a color -- red.
She asks a simple question that Rosa knows how to answer.
She sings with Rosa, then congratulates her on learning the song.

Source: America Reads Challenge: Ready*Set*Read for Families

When toddlers are introduced to the magic of books, they develop a love of reading that can last a lifetime. Language is the foundation for literacy, and you can help your toddler get ready for reading by incorporating listening and talking into everyday activities. Even though children are still developing language, reading is very important at this age. When you read to your toddler, you help her to learn about new words and concepts, learn letters, and learn about the way the printed word works. Reading to your toddler, talking about books and the printed word as much as possible, and providing many opportunities for her to experiment with writing will help her get ready to read.

Your toddler is a natural explorer, and his curiosity sparks the development of language, reading, and writing. He listens intently to adults in order to learn new words, is interested in the way language works, and experiments with using new grammar when he speaks. Toddlers love adults to read stories aloud, and they especially like to hear the same stories repeatedly. By listening to stories over and over again, your toddler learns about the way stories are built, which will help him as he gets closer to being a reader and writer.

You can help your toddler become a reader and writer by incorporating talking and reading into everyday activities. Simple actions like looking at signs as you ride the bus, looking for letters at the grocery store, reading a rhyming book together, or making a books of photos and talking about the pictures will help your child develop the language skills on which literacy is built. Learn more ways you can support your toddler as he moves towards literacy.

For More Information, visit: PBS.org

Source: PBS.oRG