Toddlers and Early Preschool

Toddlers begin to engage more directly with books by labeling objects or pictures on the pages. They start mimicking reading behaviors like pretending to read and scribbling "words". They learn to turn the pages, to hold the book the right way, and start to develop preferences for certain books. By age 3, children begin gaining more independence with reading behaviors. They can listen to longer read-alouds and retell familiar narratives. Children this age also begin to recognize the first letter in their name and can distinguish the difference between writing and drawing.