Books and Activities
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Books for Infants
All About Baby
Baby Happy Baby Sad
Author: Leslie Patricelli
This book doesn't have many words, so make sure to talk to your baby about what is happening on each page--"Baby's sad because the kitty ran away!"
Baby Faces
Author: Kate Merritt
This book is indestructible! Your child can be as rough on it as she wants and it won't rip or tear.
Cradle Me
Author: Debby Slier
This book contains gorgeous photographs of babies from different Native American tribes in cradle boards, as well as great vocabulary describing what the babies are doing. The page at the end identifies which tribe each cradle board represents, making this book great for babies and grown-ups!
Baby’s Day
Author: Karen Katz
Share this book throughout the day. Show your baby pages that match what she is doing. "You are eating in your highchair. Let's put this baby in her highchair!"
Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?
Author: Karen Katz
Have fun acting out the story with your baby. After you read, make a game of looking for his bellybutton or showing him his mouth or eyes in the mirror.
My First Busy Day
Author: DK Publishing
Point to things in the book and talk to your baby about how she uses them. Find different objects from the book around your house to show her.
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Author: Mem Fox
Illustrations: Helen Oxenbury
Read this sweet rhyme with your baby nestled in your lap. Count his fingers and toes and kiss him three times on the tip of his nose.
Explore
Farm Tails
Author: Jellycat
Your child will love pulling on the tails!
Art for Baby
Author: Yana Peel
Contining stunning high-contrast artwork by contemporary artists, this beautifully-designed book is as enjoyable for adults as it is for babies! The high-contrast images are perfect for babies' developing eyesight during the first few months of life, and it's never too early to expose them to modern art!
Fishy Tails
Author: Jellycat
Apart from all the lovely sea animal parts to stimulate your baby's senses, this book also has fun descriptive language! Can you make your arms twirly-whirly like the octopus? What if your legs were suddenly wobbly-bobbly like the round fish?
Dino Tails
Author: Jellycat
What could be better than wrinkly and crinkly dinosaur tails? You can make cheap homemade dinosaur puppets at home using crinkly, wrinkly paper bags or soft, furry leftover fabric or clean old t-shirts for your baby to enjoy!
Watch Me Dance
Author: Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrations: Brian Pinkney
After you read, dance with your baby. Put on some music and move!
Who do you See?
Author: Will Grace
After you read, point out things just as the book does--'Do you see the bird outside the window? Look, she's flying away!'
Peek-a-boo!
Author: Roberta Grobel Intrater
All of the Baby Faces books are great because babies love to look at pictures of other babies.
Quiet Loud
Author: Leslie Patricelli
Whisper the quiet sentences and use a big, booming voice for the loud ones.
Favorites
Peek-a-Boo, I Love You!
Author: Sandra Magsamen
Show excitement before opening each flap and saying "Peek-a-boo!" Soon, your baby will smile and laugh each time you look to see what is underneath.
Black and White
Author: Tana Hoban
The accordion style construction of this book allows it to stand on its own, and includes black and white, high contrast illustrations of items your baby might encounter day to day. Stand the book next to your baby, tune in to which item your baby is looking at, and describe the item to your baby using descriptive language.
Bath Time!
Author: Sandra Boynton
You can add this book to your bathtime routine since it can get wet! You can say the rhymes as you bathe your baby. Squeak the book when you kiss her on the nose!
Peekaboo Kisses
Author: Barney Saltzberg
Let your baby feel the different textures of each animal. Play peekaboo together after the story!
The Going to Bed Book
Author: Sandra Boynton
Add this book to your nighttime routine. Act out the story.
Goodnight Moon
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
After reading, you and your baby can say goodnight to things in his room.
Sing to your Baby
Author: Kathy Fink and Marcy Marxer
Illustrations: James Nocito
Check out the parent guide in the back of the book for lots of great tips on sharing these songs.
Touch and Feel
Sunny Day: Come and Play!
Author: Manhattan Toy
Invite your baby to lift the flaps to find hidden suprises such as a mirror, a worm, and some baby chicks!
Night, Night, Peter Rabbit
Author: Beatrix Potter
Have fun making the animal noises for each character. Your baby wll enjoy the crinkly pages.
Colors
Author: Xavier Deneux
This clever book about colors is a fun and tactile exploration of colors, shapes, and negative space. Let your baby feel the embossed shapes and the cutouts as you talk about what you see. What other items around you are the same colors as those in the book?
Are You My Mother? (Cloth Book)
Author: P.D. Eastman
As you read, act out the story by having the baby bird come out of the egg and talk to each animal. Let your baby hold the bird.
Sleepy Bunny
Author: Golden Books
Let your baby feel the soft cover of this book. Pat the small bunny figure and use it to act out the story. Let your baby hold the bunny.
Dr. Seuss’s Circus McGurkus 1, 2, 3!
Author: Dr. Seuss
Let your baby explore this book by touching the shiny ball, shaking the drumsticks, tooting the horn, and pulling the elephant's tail.
Hello Baby: Mirror Board Book
Author: Roger Priddy
Babies love mirrors! Give your baby plenty of time to look in the mirror.
Books for Toddler
Adventure
Clip-Clop!
Author: Nicola Smee
Invite your child to join on on "Clip-clop, clippity-clop . . ." Stomp your feet or clap your hands to make the "clop" sound.
Silly Sally
Author: Audrey Wood
Act out the movements with your child: dance a jig or play leapfrog.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
Author: Mo Willems
Hide a toy nearby and make a game of looking for it with your child.
Please Take Me for a Walk
Author: Susan Gal
Go on a walk with your child. Talk about what you see along the way.
Red Truck
Author: Kersten Hamilton
Illustrations: Valeria Petrone
Have fun making the noises from the story, such as 'vrooooom' and 'sploooosh.'
Wow! Said the Owl
Author: Tim Hopgood
As you share this book with your child, encourage her to join you as you say the phrase, 'Wow! said the owl.'
Animals
Kitten’s First Full Moon
Author: Kevin Henkes
Invite your child to help turn the pages. Respond to what your child says about illustrations. For example, if your child says "Cat," you can respond, "Yes, the cat is climbing the tree."
In My Nest
Author: Sara Gillingham
Illustrations: Lorena Siminovich
Show your child how to turn the pages using the holes in each page. Let them play with the bird puppet during the story.
You Are My Baby: Garden
Author: Lorena Siminovich
As you turn the big pages, let your child turn the little pages. Have fun making the animal sounds such as , "La-la-chirp!" or "Crunch-yum-yum."
Do Cows Meow?
Author: Salina Yoon
This lift-the-flap book is always a hit with little ones, and the rhythm and rhyme helps develop your child's phonological awareness. Make sure to give your toddler plenty of time to guess the animal sound before lifting the flap!
Do Crocs Kiss?
Author: Salina Yoon
Invite your toddler to help you lift the flaps, and don't forget to explain or act out some of the new words they'll encounter in this book, like "gobble" and "howl"!
Mouse Mess
Author: Linnea Riley
Play a game where you find words in the pictures and "read" them together, such as "Jam" or "Brown Sugar."
Big Red Barn
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrations: Felicia Brown
Give your child plenty of time to look at the pictures. Point out small details, such as the butterflies. Emphasize the rhyming words.
Big Fat Hen
Author: Keith Baker
Invite your child to say this simple rhyme with you.
Please, Puppy, Please
Author: Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee
Illustrations: Kadir Nelson
Focus on the P sound. Invite your child to pat the puppy, pet the puppy, or play with the puppy.
Dear Zoo
Author: Rod Campbell
Talk with your child about what animal could be behind the flap. Then let her lift the flap and see what it is.
Explore
Flashlight
Author: Lizi Boyd
How enlightening! After reading this wordless book together, go outside and have your own flashlight adventure!
Inside Outside
Author: Lizi Boyd
Talk with your child about what changes are happening inside and outside as the seasons progress and encourage them to tell a story.
Gravity
Author: Jason Chin
Ouch! Has your child ever wondered why they fall down and not up? This is a great book to explain some of the scientific properties of gravity- what makes our world go around!
Friends and Family
Gossie
Author: Olivier Dunrea
While reading, ask your child questions about the story. For example, when Gossie sees that someone else is wearing her boots, ask "What will Gossie do?"
A Splendid Friend, Indeed
Author: Suzanne Bloom
You and your child can do all of the things that Bear and Duck do in the story. Read, write, and have a snack. You can also write a note to your child and then read it aloud to them. Give your child paper and crayons and invite them to write a note.
Little Blue Truck
Author: Alice Schertle
Illustrations: Jill McElmurry
Help your child name each animal and the sound it makes.
Friends
Author: Mies Van Hout
Each page has only one word. Make a book with your child and label each page with just one word and one picture to go with it.
My Big Brother
Author: Valorie Fisher
Ask your child to tell you about what the big brother is doing in each picture.
On Mother’s Lap
Author: Ann Herbert Scott
Illustrations: Glo Coulson
Snuggle your child in your lap while reading this sweet story.
Bear in a Square
Author: Stella Blackstone
Illustrations: Debbie Harter
Give your child plenty of time to find the objects.
Nana in the City
Author: Lauren Castillo
If your child ever feels scared, give them something (such as a stuffed animal or a red cape, like Nana) to make them feel brave! It is sometimes very helpful for children to have a physical reminder of reassurance.
My Day
Matilda’s Cat
Author: Emily Gravett
After you read, talk to your toddler about pets. Ask simple questions like, "What does our dog like to do?" or "What sound does Grandma's cat make?"
The Napping House
Author: Audrey Wood
Illustrations: Don Wood
If your toddler loses interest in the repetitive words in the story, just read the first line on the page or talk about the illustrations. Look for the mouse and the flea on each page!
Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy
Author: Jan Thomas
Be silly while you read this book! Make up a tune and sing the cowboy's lullaby. Pretend to shout "Eeeeek!"
The Watermelon Seed
Author: Greg Pizzoli
Have a conversation with your child about seeds and plants. If possible, plant a flower! Show your child what the flower seeds look like before planting them. Invite your child to participate in the planting process, and let your child help water the flower daily.
Llama Llama Red Pajama
Author: Anna Dewdney
While you read, act out how Baby Llama feels. When he starts to moan, show your toddler what moaning sounds like.
Owl Babies
Author: Martin Waddell
Illustrations: Patrick Benson
While you read, talk about the baby owls. Point out their eyes, their beaks, their feathers and their nest. This will help your toddler learn new words.
The Going to Bed Book
Author: Sandra Boynton
Talk through your toddler's bedtime routine. Make silly rhymes or songs about brushing teeth or putting on pajamas, or use the ones from The Going to Bed Book.
Goodnight Moon
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrations: Clement Hurd
After reading, you and your toddler can say "goodnight" to things in his room--"Goodnight stuffed animals. Goodnight books."
Favorites
A Seed Needs Sun
Author: Kate Riggs
Illustrations: Fiammetta Dogi
Be sure to point out all of the details in the illustrations, such as the rocks and worms under the ground. After reading, go outside and look at some plants with your child. Point out the stems, the leaves, and the buds.
Good Night, Gorilla
Author: Peggy Rathmann
This story doesn't have many words, so use the pictures to tell the story together. Ask your child questions about what the animals are doing.
Sing-along Songs
Author: Roger Priddy
Enjoy these songs together! Sing them throughout the day.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Author: Mo Willems
Use your finger to underline the words in the speech bubbles.
Happy
Author: Mies Van Hout
Make faces like the fish in the story. Ask your child to show you her sad face or surprised face.
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
Author: Don and Audrey Wood
Ask your child to talk about what he sees in the pictures. Give him plenty of time to look at each page.
Books for Preschool
Adventure
Shadow Chasers
Author: Elly Mackay
Be sure to enjoy the beautiful illustrations in this book. After reading, turn out the lights and turn on a lamp or a flashlight. Make shadows on the wall!
Chalk
Author: Bill Thomson
Use chalk, pencil, crayons, or markers to draw with your child.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Author: Crockett Johnson
Ask your child to find the moon on each page.
Scaredy Squirrel
Author: Mélanie Watt
Share with your child things that scare you and ask what scares her.
Where the Wild Things Are
Author: Maurice Sendak
Act like a monster with your child. Gnash your teeth and roar a terrible roar!
Thesaurus Rex
Author: Laya Steinberg
Illustrations: Debbie Harter
Look for words that start with the same letter: slither, skid, slide, slip.
Little Blue Truck
Author: Alice Schertle
Illustrations: Jill McElmurry
Help your child name each animal and the sound it makes.
Duck on a Bike
Author: David Shannon
Have fun making animal sounds while you read this book with your child.
Little Owl Lost
Author: Chris Haughton
On the last page, Little Owl is sleeping again and leaning off the edge of the nest. Ask your child what might happen next.
Driving my Tractor
Author: Jan Dobbins
Illustrations: David Sim
Help your child count the animals as they get into the trailer.
Animals
Bear Has a Story to Tell
Author: Philip C. Stead
Illustrations: Erin E. Stead
After reading, ask your child what Bear's story was about. Ask about the animals that were in the story. Explain what "character" means.
The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water
Author: Gemma Merino
This book reminds us that we all have strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes even hidden talents! Help build your child's comprehension skills by asking them what they think will happen next in the story.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Author: Eric Carle
Reading and Math! As you read the story, count each set of fruit the caterpillar eats. Ask your child to point to each piece of fruit as you count them together. Emphasize that the last number counted represents the total amount of fruit in a set. This technique supports a math concept called cardinality.
Dogs
Author: Emily Gravett
At the beginning of the book, ask your child who could be telling the story. Then, read the story again once you find out at the end.
Life-Size Zoo
Author: Teruyuki Komiya
Let your child flip through this book. Read and talk about the animals that your child is interested in.
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?
Author: Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Invite your child to think abut how different animals use their tails, feet and noses. Give her plenty of time to think and talk to you before you read on.
I Spy on the Farm
Author: Edward Gibbs
Have fun playing a guessing game with your child. Talk about the clues in the pictures and let your child make guesses about what the animal could be.
The Three Little Javelinas
Author: Susan Lowell
Illustrations: Jim Harris
The pictures in this book help your child make sense of the story. Talk with your child about the pictures before you read the story together.
Creature ABC
Author: Andrew Zuckerman
Sing the ABCs before reading the book. Focus on the letters that are meaningful to your child such as the first letter of his name.
Are You a Horse?
Author: Andy Rash
This is a silly book, so be silly with your child while you read! Ask: 'Is that a horse? No? Well, why not?'
If You’re Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition
Author: James Warhola
Sing and act out the motions in the book with your child.
Why?
Author: Lila Prap
This book encourages children, and adults, to be curious and ask the age-old question, “Why?” Have fun reading silly answers to questions about animals, such as “Why do walruses have mustaches?” As you read the book, ask your child to find the star on the page and learn the scientific answer together.
Maria Had a Little Llama
Author: Angela Dominguez
Throughout the story we see village musicians playing traditional Peruvian instruments. Have fun with your child making homemade instruments. For instance, an empty oatmeal container makes a great drum. Pots, pans and wooden spoons make wonderful sounds too!
Maybe A Bear Ate It!
Author: Robie H. Harris
Illustrations: Michael Emberley
Repurpose a discarded shoe box or cereal box into a book box! Let your child decorate the box to add their own pizazz. Having a special place for books will help prevent them from being lost, and keep precious books safe from hungry bears.
The Grouchy Ladybug
Author: Eric Carle
Time is an important part of our daily lives. Take time to point out the clocks on the top right corner. You can ask your child what they might be doing at those times.
Friends and Family
Flora and the Flamingo
Author: Molly Idle
Since this book doesn't have any words, you and your child can tell the story together. Ask questions like "What are Flora and the flamingo doing?" and "How do you think they feel?"
Grumpy Bird
Author: Jeremy Tankard
After you read, talk to your child about a time when he's been grumpy. What cheers him up?
A Visitor for Bear
Author: Bonny Becker
Illustrations: Kady MacDonald Denton
After you have read the story a few times, try acting it out in your own kitchen. Let your child pretend to be the mouse surprising the bear. Or she could be the bear getting mad at the mouse!
A Cat and a Dog
Author: Claire Masurel
Illustrations: Bob Kolar
After you read, ask your child about her friends. How does she help her friends? What do they like to do together?
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Author: Philip C. Stead
Illustrations: Erin Stead
Talk to your child about a time when he was sick. Would he like to do the things that Amos did with the animals? What else is good to do when you feel sick?
Carrot Soup
Author: John Segal
After you read, share some carrots. You can even act out the story. Hide the carrots and then have a party while you eat!
One Special Day
Author: Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrations: Jessica Meserve
After you read, pretend to be different animals with your child. Be silly as a puppy or hungry as a bear!
Our Grandparents: A Global Album
Author: Maya Ajmera
After you read, talk to your child about what he likes to do with his grandparents or another close family member.
You Will Be My Friend!
Author: Peter Brown
This fun book has multiple characters who speak with speech bubbles. Use different voices for different characters. Point to the characters while they speak.
Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
Author: Yuyi Morales
Take plenty of time to explore the pictures on every page. Count along with Señor Calavera. Make a game of finding the cat on every page!
Stick and Stone
Author: Beth Ferry
Illustrations: Tom Lichtenheld
Stick and Stone become best friends and together they make, “a perfect 10.” Go explore outside like Stick and Stone; invite your child to help you find a stick and stone to make the number 10. Then gather sticks for a collection, counting as you go. Compare the size of each stick and sort them by size, using words like, “short,” “longer,” “longest.” (Early math)
Thunder Boy Jr.
Author: Sherman Alexie
Illustrations: Yuyi Morales
Nicknames can be fun! Think of some funny nicknames with your child like Thunder Boy Jr. does in the book!
My Day
Boo Hoo Bird
Author: Jeremy Tankard
Invite your child to guess what Bird's friends will do to help him feel better. Ask your child about a time they got hurt. Do they remember what made them feel better?
Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes
Author: Eric Litwin
Illustrations: James Dean
Encourage your child to guess where Pete will go next. Invite them to join in on Pete's song, "I'm rocking in my school shoes."
What About Bear?
Author: Suzanne Bloom
Encourage your child to talk about the illustrations. Ask, "How does bear feel in the story?" Invite your child to talk about the friends they play with at school.
I’m Not Scared!
Author: Jonathan Allen
While reading, ask your child if they think that Baby Owl feels scared and why or why not. Ask them if they remember a time they felt scared.
Llama Llama Red Pajama
Author: Anna Dewdney
While you read, talk about how Baby Llama is feeling. Ask your child how she feels at bedtime.
Owl Babies
Author: Martin Waddell
Illustrations: Patrick Benson
While you read, talk about how the owl babies feel. Ask your child about times when she was alone and felt afraid.
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
Author: Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrations: Tom Lichtenheld
After you read, think about how other machines would go to sleep at night. What would a bus do at bedtime? How about a vacuum cleaner?
Bunny Cakes
Author: Rosemary Wells
After you read, plan to cook a meal or snack with your child. Make a grocery list and let him cross off items as you shop.
One World, One Day
Author: Barbara Kerley
Give your child plenty of time to look at the photographs. Take pictures of your child throughout her day. Look at them next to the pictures of chidren from around the world.
Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers
Author: Mollie Katzen and Ann Anderson
Make a recipe from the book! Use the pictures to decide what you should do next. Set the table together and have a special meal.
The Neighborhood Mother Goose
Author: Nina Crews
Give your child plenty of time to look at the photographs. Choose a favorite rhyme and make up actions to go with the words. Say the rhyme fast and then slow. When she's ready, let your child say the rhyme on her own.
Let’s Do Nothing!
Author: Tony Fucile
Encourage your child to talk about what is happening on the wordless pages. After reading, try to "do nothing" with your child. It's okay if you can't sit sill for long. Just see what happens!
Green is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors
Author: Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Illustrations: John Parra
This book is a celebration of food, culture and colors! Each page represents a color. While reading the story, pause to look at the illustrations and ask your child to find the items described on the page. As you go about your day, ask your child what colors they see, or play “I Spy” with colors. Example: “I spy with my little eye, something red with white letters. It’s a stop sign!”
My Teacher is a Monster!
Author: Peter Brown
When reading this book, point out the slow evolution of the teacher's appearance then discuss some of the changes your child notices.
Favorites
Moo!
Author: David LaRochelle
Illustrations: Mike Wohnoutka
This is a great example of how a book with only one word can tell a really funny story! Your child will ask to hear this story again and again.
Found
Author: Salina Yoon
Give your child plenty of time to look at the pictures, especially the signs for lost things. Underline the words in each sign with your finger and point out the drawings, such as "Lost Pinecone" or "Lost Tooth." Ask your child if there is something she has ever lost.
Don’t Push the Button!
Author: Bill Cotter
This story is an invitation to play! Encourage your child to press all of the buttons!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Author: Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrations: John Archambault
Invite your child to join in on the repeated words in the story such as 'Chicka chicka boom boom.'
The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza)
Author: Philemon Sturges
Illustrations: Amy Walrod
While sharing this book, point out the food items in the pictures. Then, look in your refrigerator and cupboards to see if you have any of the ingredients from the story.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
Author: Mo Willems
Look at each page and talk about what is happening in the pictures. Ask your child where they might be going or why Trixie gets so upset.
Book Fiesta!
Author: Pat Mora
Illustrations: Rafael López
In Book Fiesta! Pat Mora writes, “Our families tell us stories while we listen and play.” Each family has unique stories and traditions, which contribute to the collective story of our world. Share family stories with your children! If you need inspiration, show your child photographs from your own childhood and talk about them.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Author: Eric Litwin
Illustrations: James Dean
Invite your child to join in Pete's song. Soon, she'll know it by heart!
The Wide-Mouthed Frog
Author: Keith Faulkner
Illustrations: Jonathan Lambert
Be sure to give your child plenty of time to look at the illustrations and pop-ups. Invite him to guess what each animal likes to eat.
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
Author: Don and Audrey Wood
Give your child plenty of time to look at the pictures and talk about what is happening. Ask questions about how the mouse feels or what might happen next.
Go Away, Big Green Monster!
Author: Ed Emberly
Read this story over and over. Soon, your child will know it by heart.
We Are in a Book!
Author: Mo Willems
Enjoy this funny book. Choose books to share with your child that make you laugh out loud.
Who Ate All the Cookie Dough?
Author: Karen Beaumont
Illustrations: Eugene Yelchin
Invite your child to join in on each 'Do you know who ate all the cookie dough?' Allow her to lift the flap at the end to find out who it really was!
Friends
Author: Mies Van Hout
Talk with your child about the pictures on each page. Ask him questions about what he thinks the animals are feeling and why.
Not A Box
Author: Antoinette Portis
Invite your child to play with boxes! A simple box can provide children with hours of playful exploration. For example, tissue boxes can become a fun game that supports language development! Cut out pictures of animals from discarded magazines, or draw your own. Glue, or tape, the various animals on different sides of the tissue box. Let your child gently toss or roll the box to see what animal it lands on. Talk about the animal, then get silly with your child and imitate the sounds and movement of that animal.
Niño Wrestles the World
Author: Yuyi Morales
In Mexico, luchadores design their unique costumes to reflect their personalities. Get creative with your child and work together to design your own luchador masks! Then, engage your child in imaginative play by retelling the story wearing your masks. Don’t forget to test out our favorite lucha style – the Tickle Tackle!
Activities for Infants
At Home
Tip
Make special places for books where you and your baby can reach them.
Sing
Sing or talk to your baby while you feed her--Would you like some applesauce? It's yummy!
Play
Share tummy time with your baby. While she lies on her tummy, talk, sing, and play peek-a-boo!
Tip
Babies are too young to learn from TV. Talk, read, sing, and play instead.
Explore
Let your baby study your face. This will help him learn about the way that you make sounds and show emotions.
Talk
Talk to your baby at bathtime--'Now we're scrubbing your toes!'
Talk
Talk to your baby about what you are doing in the house: "We are going to check the mailbox. Let's look inside!"
At the Store
Talk
Bring a list and talk about each thing you cross off--'The milk is in the car. Check! That's done.'
Tip
Find a place in the store to take a break if you and your baby need one, such as a bench near the entrance.
Explore
Let your baby play with a book while you shop.
Talk
Talk about what you see as you walk down the aisles. "Look at these blue boxes of pasta."
Sing
Sing a lullaby or nursery rhyme to your baby while shopping.
On the Road
Talk
Talk and sing with your baby. Your voice is calming and soothing.
Talk
If your baby coos or babbles, coo back to her.
Talk
Make up a chant or rhyme with your baby's name.
Sing
Animal noises make babies laugh! Sing an animal song to your baby.
Play
Give your baby a cloth book to explore. It's okay if he puts it in his mouth!
Outside
Talk
Walk and talk about what your baby sees--'You are looking at the singing birds. The birds are in the trees.'
Play
Bring a blanket and have tummy time outside! While she lies on her tummy, talk, sing, and play peek-a-boo!
Tip
Give your baby lots of face to face attention.
Talk
Go on a walk and talk about the movments you are making--going slow, going fast, going zig zag.
Tip
Find a shady spot and sit down. Sing nursery rhymes to your baby.
While We Wait
Talk
Scroll through pictures on your phone of people and places your baby knows. Talk about each picture.
Play
Smile at your baby and soon she'll smile back.
Play
Play games like peek-a-boo and itsy-bitsy spider.
Tip
Bring cloth or board books to share with your baby.
Explore
Bring a 'treasure bag' with books, toys, and snacks. Let your baby get excited about what you will take out next.
Play
Bring old magazines or newspapers for your baby crumple and rip. This will help make her fingers get stronger.
Tip
Bring a snack in case your baby gets hungry. Talk to him about the food he is eating. "Cheerios! Do you like the cheerios?"
Activities for Toddler
At Home
Help
You and your toddler can cook together. Let him hand you ingredients or help you stir.
Help
While you pay bills or mark the calendar, give your toddler things to write with too.
Play
Use a mirror to let your toddler see her face while she talks and plays. This will help her learn about herself.
Tip
Make special places for books where you and your toddler can reach them.
At the Store
Play
Play games while you shop. Ask your child to point to something very big or something shaped like a square.
Help
Circle things you need in a weekly grocery flyer and let your toddler help you shop. Talk about what you will buy.
Play
Invite your child to point out shapes and letters at her level.
Help
Give your child a clipboard and crayons so he can pretend to make his own list.
Talk
Talk to your child about foods that are the same and different. For example, "The apple is green and the plum is purple. But they are both round." or "The cereal is in a big box and the raisins are in a little box."
On the Road
Talk
Talk with your toddler about what you see out the window. Ask her about stores, cars, people, or animals.
Talk
Roll down the window and talk about the sounds you hear--horns honking, trains whistling, or birds chirping.
Sing
Sing with your toddler. Sing a line of a favorite song and let him sing the next part to you.
Tip
If possible, try to take the same route home each time you go out. Point out familiar objects that your child might recognize. "Look, there's the yellow house. The tall tree is coming up!"
Outside
Talk
Use action words to talk about what your child is doing--'You're skipping! Look how high you can jump!'
Explore
Talk about what you see, hear and smell outside. Let your toddler be curious and get up close to the things around him.
Play
Invite your child to act like an animal. What sound does a dog make? How does a duck waddle?
Tip
Bring a bag of books to enjoy in a shady spot.
While We Wait
Talk
This is a great time to talk to your toddler--What does she see in the room? What should you have for dinner tonight?
Play
Bring a 'treasure bag' with books, paper, crayons and snacks. Let your toddler guess what you will take out next.
Play
Bring bubbles to blow for your toddler. Let your toddler try to "catch" the bubbles!
Talk
Scroll through pictures on your phone of people and places your toddler knows. Talk about each picture.
Activities for Preschool
At Home
Play
Play "Simon Says" with your child. Ask him to stand on one foot, jump up and down, clap his hands, or touch his toes.
Play
Help your child write letters to friends or family members. Let your child place stamps on the envelope and put the letters in the mailbox. If the card is for someone at home, let her place it somewhere that will be a surprise, such as in a pocket or under a pillow.
Tip
Make special places for books where you and your child can reach them.
Help
You and your preschooler can cook together. Let him hand you ingredients or help you stir.
Tip
Make a special place for drawing and writing. Set out writing paper, envelopes, old magazines, crayons, pens, and markers.
Play
Make a fort together under the table or with sheets or boxes.
At the Store
Talk
Invite your child to guess how many items are in your cart. When you are ready to check out, count them to see how close she got!
Help
Give your child a clipboard and crayons to write and draw while you shop.
Play
Use a marker or a hairbrush as a special wand. Invite your child to point to words on food boxes and read them aloud--"That says honey nut."
Help
Make a grocery list with words and pictures. Let your child cross things off when you put them in the cart.
On the Road
Talk
Talk with your child about what you see out the window. Ask her about stores, cars, people, or animals.
Sing
Sing a song together that rhymes. When your child knows the song by heart, stop and let her say the rhyming words.
Talk
Talk to your child about where you are going and what you will do.
Talk
Ask your child to tell you about things that he is interested in. For example, if your child likes garbage trucks, ask "Where do you think they take the garbage?"
Outside
Play
Bring crayons and paper and invite your child to write or draw.
Talk
Use new words to talk about what your child is doing.--'You can balance on the sidewalk.' or 'Jump down carefully.'
Talk
Push your child on the swings. It is the perfect time to talk to her about anything--her day, her friends, or just how high she's going!
Play
Play follow the leader with words like 'under, around, and behind.'
While We Wait
Tip
If your child gets fussy, go for a short walk around the waiting room. Talk about what you see: plants, magazines, or people.
Play
Play a rhyming game with silly words. "What rhymes with blap?"
Play
Use rhyming words to play 'I spy.'--'I spy with my little eye, something that rhymes with cat.'
Play
Think of words together that start with the same sound.