• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Children's Medical Center

Children's Medical Center

Denver Pediatric Practice

  • About
    • Pediatricians
      • Dr. Debbie
      • Dr. Erin
      • Dr. Katie
      • Dr. Lauren
      • Dr. Liz
      • Dr. Spero
    • Pediatric Services
      • Mental Health Services
      • Breastfeeding Support
      • Administration
    • News
    • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Resources
    • Patient Account
      • Forms
      • Online Bill Pay
      • MyChart Login
      • Using MyChart
    • Financial Information
      • Affordable Care Act
      • Service Costs
      • Online Payment
    • Medical Privacy Policy
    • Parent Education
      • Breastfeeding
      • Newborns
      • Parenting Tips
      • Safety
      • Special Needs Children
      • Teens
      • Vaccinations
      • What’s Going Around?
    • Medicine & Dosages
    • Symptom Guide
    • CMC Pediatrician Blog
  • Appointments
    • Sick Visit
    • Well Visit
  • New Patients
    • New Baby
    • Transfer to CMC
  • Contact
    • Phone System Guide
    • Parking at CMC
  • My Chart
Home/Resources/Parent Education/Parenting Tips

Parenting Tips

Being a parent is hard work! We have collected information about common parenting questions and concerns to provide tips from trusted medical professionals. Please review our list of topics below to find some quick perspective on your parenting dilemmas.

You know your child best. Please contact our office with any concerns about your child’s wellbeing, mental, or physical health.

­ 


Reading: Developing a Love of Books From Birth to Age 5

View spanish version, share, or print this article.


A baby can enjoy books from birth onward! Here are things you can do with your child at different ages to help your child learn to love words and books.

Birth to Age 1

  • Play with your baby often. Talk, sing, and say rhymes. This helps your baby learn to talk.

  • Talk with your baby, making eye contact. Give your baby time to answer in baby talk.

  • Give your baby sturdy board books to look at. It's OK for a baby to chew on a book.

  • Look at picture books with your baby and name things. Say "See the baby!" or "Look at the puppy!"

  • Babies like board books with pictures of babies and everyday objects like balls and blocks.

  • Snuggle with your baby on your lap and read aloud. Your baby may not understand the story but will love the sound of your voice and being close to you.

  • Don't let your child watch videos until age 18 months or older. Video chats with relatives are fine.

1 to 3 Years of Age

  • Read to your child every day. Let your child pick the book, even if it's the same one again and again!

  • Younger toddlers (1 to 2 years of age) like board books with pictures of children doing everyday things (like eating and playing). They also like "goodnight" books and books with rhymes. Books should only have a few words on each page.

  • Older toddlers (2 to 3 years of age) like board books and books with paper pages. They love books with rhymes and words that are repeated. Books about families, friends, animals, and trucks are also good.

  • Let your child "read" to you by naming things in the book or making up a story.

  • Take your child to the library. Celebrate your child getting a library card!

  • Keep talking, singing, saying rhymes, and playing with your child.

  • Don't let your child watch videos until age 18 months or older. Video chats with relatives are fine.

3 to 5 Years of Age

  • Read ABC books with your child. Point out letters as you read.

  • Preschool children like books that tell stories. They also love counting books, alphabet books, and word books. Like toddlers, they love books with rhymes and words they can learn by heart.

  • Help your child recognize whole words as well as letters. Point out things like letters on a stop sign or the name of a favorite store.

  • Ask your child questions about the pictures and story. Invite them to make up a story about what's in the book.

  • Some TV shows, videos, and computer games can help your child learn to read. But you need to be involved too. Watch or play with your child and talk about the program. Limit video time to 1 hour per day. Avoid violent shows and movies. Try to stick to educational shows.

  • Give your child lots of chances to use written words. Write shopping lists together. Write letters to friends or family.

Reading Tips

  • Set aside time every day to read together. Reading at bedtime is a great way to get ready for sleep.

  • Leave books in your children's rooms for them to enjoy on their own. Have a comfortable bed or chair, bookshelf, and reading lamp.

  • Read books your child enjoys. Your child may learn the words to a favorite book. Then, let your child complete the sentences, or take turns saying the words.

  • Don't drill your child on letters, numbers, colors, shapes, or words. Instead, make a game of it.

Read Aloud With Your Child

  • Reading aloud is one of the best ways to help your child learn to read. The more excited you act when you read a book, the more your child will enjoy it.

  • Use funny voices and animal noises!

  • Look at the pictures. Ask your child to name things in the pictures. Talk about how the pictures go with the story. Ask what is happening in the story.

  • Invite your child to join in when a line is repeated over and over.

  • Show your child how things in the book are like things in your child's life.

  • If your child asks a question, stop and answer it. Books can help children express their thoughts and solve problems.

  • Keep reading to your child even after they learn to read. Children can listen and understand harder stories than they can read on their own.

Listen to Your Child Read Aloud

  • Once your child starts reading, have them read out loud. Take turns reading.

  • If your child asks for help with a word, give it right away. But let your child sound out words if they want to.

  • Know when your child has had enough. Stop if your child is tired or frustrated.

  • Most of all, give lots of praise! You are your child's first, and most important, teacher!

Visit Reach Out and Read (www.reachoutandread.org) and HealthyChildren.org for more information.

Disclaimer

Adapted from Plain Language Pediatric Patient Education: Handouts for Common Pediatric Topics. ? 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics. Reviewed 3/15/2024.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

In all aspects of its publishing program (writing, review, and production), the AAP is committed to promoting principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Any websites, brand names, products, or manufacturers are mentioned for informational and identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication. The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Powered by RemedyConnect
disclaimer
Denver Data Feed

Primary Sidebar

Call Children’s Medical Center

303-830-7337
Monday-Friday:
8:00am to 12:30pm &
1:30pm to 5:00pm

Saturday:
8:00am to 12:00noon

Phone system guide

Our Office Location

Children's Medical Center is located just east of downtown Denver at:

1818 N. Ogden Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80218

Parking & location

Recent News

Holiday Closure

CMC will be closed Monday, May 26th, 2025, to observe Memorial Day. We hope everyone has a safe and …

Continue Reading about Holiday Closure

Search our site

Explore more

Online Bill PayMyChart LoginContact Us
Children's Medical Center

Footer

Children’s Medical Center

1818 N. Ogden Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80218
303-830-7337

Copyright © 2025 · Children's Medical Center

  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy