Expert answer
To keep your child engaged with reading, you should keep a wide variety of books on hand, and make sure to include books on topics that interest them. In your book collection, keep books that your child currently enjoys so they can read them over and over again (repeat readings are great — they help kids feel comfortable with the story and begin “reading” it along with you!).
You should also add new books regularly, and make them a little more advanced than their current collection. They will let you know — probably through a lack of interest — when a book is too difficult. Picture books are good because they allow you to point out words and help him begin to recognize letters and their associated sounds. Pictures also give clues to the story for young children who are just grappling with language–learning, but if they can follow the plot of a book without pictures, that’s wonderful! The important thing is to go at your child’s pace, but maintain a rich and varied literary environment.
For more information on reading to young children, check the following sections of our site:
- Reading with Your Child
- Growing Readers: Reading Aloud (tips in English and Spanish)
- Growing Readers: Children’s Books (tips in English and Spanish)
We also have great lists of recommended books for kids by theme, award winning books, and much more in our Books and Authors section.