1. Let the child lead. When it comes to our youngest readers, it’s important to let them set the pace. If your child wants to skip a sentence, or even whole pages, that’s perfectly okay! Reading time should be a fun, low-pressure experience. The goal is to help them build a positive connection with books. Try pointing to pictures and naming just one word at a time.
For example, point towards the Llama eating or to the plate of food itself. Simple labeling helps build vocabulary and keeps things engaging. Over time, as they grow more comfortable and curious, they’ll naturally want to spend more time with books.
Another fun example would be to point towards the bathing Llama and say, "Wash, wash wash!"
3. As the child gains familiarity with the book, use lots of pauses on purpose. For example, if the book says “I have to…”, stop and wait. Look at your child with an expectant face.
That moment of silence gives your child a chance to fill in the blank. They may produce a sound, word, or a gesture. If they don’t, that’s okay too, you can fill in the blank for them.
This "wait time" may feel a little long to you, but it's actually very helpful for your child. It shows them that a response is expected, gives them time to think, and encourages them to participate. Even if they’re not speaking yet, they’re learning how conversations work!
4. Make Reading Part of Your Daily Routine. This book follows familiar bedtime routines, making it a perfect way to connect stories with real-life moments. As you read together, talk about your own family’s bedtime rituals, how they’re the same or different from what’s happening in the story. This helps your child make meaningful connections between books and their everyday world.
Even better, carry the learning beyond the book! During your actual bedtime routine, try repeating some of the key verbs from the story. At dinner, you might say “eat, eat, eat!” or during bath time, try “wash, wash, wash!” Repeating simple action words in context helps build vocabulary and reinforces understanding.
You can also adjust how much you say based on your child’s language level. For early talkers, stick to one or two words. For more verbal children, you can build short phrases or sentences. The goal is to make language fun, interactive, and just right for your child.
