• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Benefit your child by reading

March 20, 2007 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

Toddlers are a responsive lot: even if they don’t understand what is being said or read, they are perfectly capable of making signs and sounds that imitate their interlocutors. This indicates the beginning of a new curiosity and counts as a first step towards your child’s future literacy.

Reading to and with your toddlers can be a connecting experience, arousing interest and powers of recognition you will be surprised exist at such an age. Here are some surprising responses you can look out for as you read out to your children:

  • Their eyes open to hold your gaze and attention.
  • They smile and respond to facial gestures and expressions.
  • They like to hold the book while you read.
  • They demand that adults read to them.
  • They produce some preliminary letters or scribbles to mimic writing.

Here are a few simple things you can do to benefit your children by reading:

  • Remember to read aloud in a clear and soft voice to your toddlers.
  • Use picture books and point to pictures inside to hold their attention.
  • Often use expressions of surprise and emotion as you read.
  • Recite nursery rhymes and move about as you sing—kids find this very entertaining.
  • Start linking pictures and stories to the real world outside.
  • Teach them to master certain rhymes.
  • Build their vocabularies with new words and expressions.
  • Set aside reading time as a ‘special’ part of your toddlers’ day—something they might look forward to.

Recommended books:

Illustrated Mother Goose Rhymes

Dr. Seuss:

Hop on Pop

Go Dog Go

Greeen Eggs and Ham

Filed Under: Kids

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Benefit your Child by Reading

January 10, 2007 by Paul Banas Leave a Comment

Toddlers are a responsive lot: even if they don’t understand what is being said or read, they are perfectly capable of making signs and sounds that imitate their interlocutors. This indicates the beginning of a new curiosity and counts as a first step towards your child’s future literacy.

Reading to and with your toddlers can be a connecting experience, arousing interest and powers of recognition you will be surprised exist at such an age. Here are some surprising responses you can look out for as you read out to your children:


  • Their eyes open to hold your gaze and attention.

  • They smile and respond to facial gestures and expressions.

  • They like to hold the book while you read.

  • They demand that adults read to them.

  • They produce some preliminary letters or scribbles to mimic writing.

Here are a few simple things you can do to benefit your children by reading:


  • Remember to read aloud in a clear and soft voice to your toddlers.

  • Use picture books and point to pictures inside to hold their attention.

  • Often use expressions of surprise and emotion as you read.

  • Recite nursery rhymes and move about as you sing—kids find this very entertaining.

  • Start linking pictures and stories to the real world outside.

  • Teach them to master certain rhymes.

  • Build their vocabularies with new words and expressions.

  • Set aside reading time as a ‘special’ part of your toddlers’ day—something they might look forward to.

Recommended books:
Illustrated Mother Goose Rhymes
Dr. Seuss:
Hop on Pop
Go Dog Go
Green Eggs and Ham

Filed Under: 59 Week

About Paul Banas

Paul Banas is happy married dad of two great kids living in San Francisco. He writes now about kids, new technology and how the two interact for GreatDad.com and for Pregnancy Magazine (pregnancymagazine.com) where he is also the publisher.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks
Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
byPaul Banas

Today we delve into the complexities of fatherhood with David Marcus, Ph.D., an expert with over forty years of experience working with families and children. In this enlightening conversation, we explore the essential components of communicating with your child, focusing on the development of a common emotional language. Learn about the four assumptions of emotionality that parents often make and discover strategies to foster a safe and open environment for meaningful conversations at any age.

Check out Dr. Marcus’ website at parentrx.org

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

– GreatDad.com/coaching 

– GreatDad.com/pq 

– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC  

50% off for podcast listeners with code PODCAST50

145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
May 13, 2025
Paul Banas
144. Exploring Mindful Fatherhood with Odeani Mc Bean
May 6, 2025
Paul Banas
143. Overcoming Dad Burnout with Scott Anderson
April 29, 2025
Paul Banas
142. Building Resilient Kids with Dr. Richard Oelberger
April 24, 2025
Paul Banas
141. Exploring Men’s Sexual Health with Dr. Elliot Justin
April 22, 2025
Paul Banas
140. Instilling Values and Financial Literacy with Barclay Roper
April 15, 2025
Paul Banas
139. Adaptive Cooking Tools and Techniques with Douglas Katz
April 8, 2025
Paul Banas
138. Exploring Masculinity and Men’s Groups with Jason Lange
April 1, 2025
Paul Banas
137. Modern Tech for Kids with Damien Schreurs
March 25, 2025
Paul Banas
136. Addressing the Gender Education Gap with Sean Kullman
March 18, 2025
Paul Banas
Search Results placeholder

More to See

Adaptive Cooking Tools and Techniques with Douglas Katz

April 24, 2025 By Paul Banas

Lingo and Stelo CGM kits

How Dads Can Master Glucose Monitoring in 2025

May 14, 2025 By Paul Banas

Copyright © 2025 . GreatDad