It’s never too early to get your baby to love books. Experts say, if you want to raise eager readers, start them young. Reading aloud to your toddler, infant, or even a baby in the womb does help jumpstart language and literacy.

Your toddler may still have a limited speaking vocabulary and your baby may not pay attention too long, but just hearing spoken words enriches them by letting them grasp the rhythms and patterns of language. Just exposing them the the sounds of language is valuable.

Preschool teacher Beni Veloso who is also mom to a 4-year old says, “A child’s success as a reader begins much earlier than the first day of school. Reading and the love for reading starts at home.” She shares some of her own preschool library tricks that you can use to make your little one love books – and to get started on good reading comprehension.

Have daily reading rituals. The tradition of reading aloud at bedtime – or any other time of the day you can share – can bring out the bookworm in your child. Make this special reading time fun and add some cuddles to establish it as a positive experience.

Get in character. Does your toddler love Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat? Then don the cat’s hat yourself and ham it up. The laughs will make the experience more fun. Your 3-year-old will love you, not to mention the book, even more.

Set up a book nook at home. Use child-sized furniture, like their own special reading couch, or some cozy enclosures. Reading tents are always a hit!

Make copycat books. Older preschoolers can make their own books patterned after their favorites. Let them use their imagination and put in their own twists to the stories. Let them join the cast of characters or even change the ending.

Get kids to act out the story. Kids are natural mimics. Pretend play is almost an instinct to them. So allow them to imagine themselves as their favorite book characters. Include costumes and props in their toy collections. For some kids, this experience can be quite empowering.

Another preschool teacher, Lizzie Fajardo has a few more reminders.

Read it and feel it. Bring life to the stories by reading it using different voices, intonations, facial expressions and body language. This will make it easier for a child to understand the story better. This will make story time more fun and engaging – and more interesting than the TV set!

Make books accessible. Even toddlers and preschoolers should have their own library at home. Books should be placed in low shelves or baskets so they can easily get them whenever they want to explore reading materials on their own. Yes, even if they don’t even know how to read it themselves!

Show pleasure in reading yourself. Children who grow up in a home with grown-ups who enjoy books and other quality reading materials are likely to model their enthusiasm for reading. If you love reading yourself, you are already off to a good start!

So go ahead and pick up a book – for you, and especially for your baby. As the good old Dr. Seuss says: “The more that you read, the more you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!”

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