Letter Knowledge

Introduce the title and the author of the book. Point to the letters in the author’s name and point out the distinctive features of a few. For example, you might say: 

“Dr. Seuss wrote the words in this book. Doctor starts with D. There are a lot of Ss in his name!” (Point to the letters in Dr. Seuss.) “See? Dr. Seuss writes silly words!”

Oral Language

Bring attention to the pictures on the front cover and explore the different textures. Use the pictures to introduce the descriptive properties of rough/smooth, shiny/dull and dark/light. For example, you could say: 

“I see a red fish and it looks like he’s swimming in a pond. See? The pond is shiny. The part of the cover that has words is dull. Let’s point to shiny — great! The pond is shiny. Now, let’s point to dull. That’s right, this part looks dull. Shiny (point) and dull (point). Let’s open the book and read some silly words!”

Phonological Awareness

Read the story rhythmically in a way that is fun and engaging. Use lots of variation in your voice and place emphasis on the rhyming pairs of words. This allows your toddler to hear the sound patterns of the rhymes. After several readings of the book, allow her to complete the rhymes for you. For example, you might say:

“The moon was out and we saw some sheep. We saw some sheep take a walk in their __________” (Pause and allow your toddler to say sleep).

Beginning Writing

As you read, invite your toddler to experience the story with her hands.  Encourage her to feel the texture of the fur, pull the tabs and lift the flaps. These simple acts of pulling tabs and lifting flaps help to build your child’s fine motor skills. 

Oral Language

As your toddler explores the fur, flaps and tabs, help foster her language by making conceptual connections throughout the story. For example, encourage her to pull the pink ink tab slowly as you say:

“He likes to drink, and drink and drink!”

Help her to make the conceptual connection of full/empty by bringing her attention to the glass emptying as the Yink drinks the pink ink.

Beginning Writing

Help your toddler create her own silly pet using blocks or play dough. Encourage her to give her pet a silly name! 

Explore more recommended children's books for two-year-olds, or find an at-home activity to help build important pre-reading skills.