By age three, most children can follow a simple storyline and will understand and remember many ideas that are presented in a simple storybook. It is important to establish a special time to read as well as special places where books are kept in your home. Your child should be able to reach books and get them himself. As a special treat, fill an old large pocketbook or beach bag with books by a favorite author (Mother Goose) or theme (vehicles) your child enjoys. For easy access, place it near a rocking chair or favorite reading area.
Your young child may enjoy choosing books at the local library about experiences he has had, or is going to have; such as, a trip to the zoo, an airplane ride, or the arrival of a new sibling. Talk about the story as you are reading it or later in the day to help develop his ability to recall important information. Stress words that tell about time and cause and effect (next, before, because, since). Ask him about the characters and what was his favorite part of the story. As he begins to understand why things happen, stop before the end of the story and ask him to guess what might happen and why. You may also begin to point to words as you read to help him understand the connections between printed and spoken words.
Before or after reading a story, reinforce the concepts and vocabulary in your child's natural environment. For example:
 | Before reading, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin," by Laura Joffe Numberoff, bake muffins together. Eat a muffin at an appropriate time during the story. |
| "The Mitten" by Alvin Tresselt is a story about a group of animals that find shelter inside a lost mitten. After reading this childhood favorite, help your child discover how many of his toy animals will fit in his mitten. Talk about if his mitten holds more or less then the mitten in the story. Try it with a grown-up mitten and talk about why you need more objects to fill it. |
| Encourage your child to participate in reading the words. Read a few words and let him fill in the blanks. The boy is sitting on the ...At first, point to the picture, such as the swing. The next time you read the story, which may be in a few minutes if it is favorite, try just saying the phrase with the blank and see if he can say the word without your pointing cue. |