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Try It!

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2m

Now, let’s try it out by using the classic book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” by Eric Carle as an example! As you open "The Very Hungry Caterpillar” book together, cuddle up and sit close to your baby. 

Play with different voices and sounds as you read. You could say, “One Sunday morning the warm sun came up – and POP! – out of the egg came a tiny and verrrry hungry caterpillar.”

You can emphasize “POP!” and you could try a soft, high-pitched voice as you say “tiny.”

Continue making the most of this beloved book by trying these techniques:

  • Pause and wait a little longer on a page. Notice what your baby does (pat the page, coo, or kick) and follow their lead.
  • Give a play-by-play and describe what’s happening on the pages. You could talk about the sun shining, the green caterpillar crawling, and the food the caterpillar is eating.
  • Use simple, repetitive phrases in a sing-song voice. After each page, you could say, “He was stillll hungry!”

What Do You Notice?

What you observe matters! As you read with your baby, take note of what your child is doing and share it with your professional team.

  • As you read with your baby, how do they respond to changes in your voice? (Whisper, low voice vs. high voice, long sounds vs. short sounds)
  • When you pause and wait during reading time, how does your baby respond? (Listen for vowel sounds, cooing, and gurgling.)
  • How does your baby look at you or move their body as you read? (Do they kick their legs, move their arms, or wiggle? Do they reach for the book?)

Pro Parent Tip!

Keep a journal to write notes about what you notice. Talk with your LSL interventionist about your observations and learn what to do to support your baby’s reading and learning skills as they grow. By sharing your insights, your professional team will be able to better help you and your baby!

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How to Read with Your Baby

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