Pre-Reading Milestones for 12 Months to 17 Months

Reading BrightStart! Screener

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Sits independently without support from a person
Carries books or objects when walking
Moves or dances to music
Shows increased awareness of books, such as holding them, opening them or turning several pages at once

Uses motions or gestures to communicate, such as waving goodbye or shaking head “no”
Labels things consistently with the same sound and begins to say words — may not pronounce the word accurately, but makes a consistent and recognizable sound (e.g., “muh” for “milk” or “Da” for “Daddy”)
Understands familiar words even if he cannot say the words — will point to the correct object, toy, picture or person when asked
Chooses books for adults to read to them — may want to switch books before a story is finished
Holds book right-side up — from this early age, babies start to learn which way pictures in books should be oriented.

Show interest when your child brings you a book to read.
Name and describe pictures in a book.
Make up your own words to the story and don’t worry about reading all the words on a page.
Follow your child’s lead as you read together — your child may want to turn the page, change books before you are finished reading, or stop looking at books and do something else.
Continue talking and singing during daily routines.
Ask your child to point to, touch or show you pictures, toys or objects as you name them.
Accept your child’s short attention span and movement during book time — a reading activity may be only a couple of minutes. Your child does not have to sit the whole time.

Does not say any words
Does not respond when his name is called — when you call your child’s name in a regular tone of voice (not shouting), he does not routinely turn toward you.
Does not initiate shared interaction — does not bring you a toy or book to enjoy together
Does not point out objects of interest for you
Often seems to be “in her own world” — beyond just shyness, seems less interested than usual in other people and does not make much eye contact
Does not start walking

More Fun Ideas

BOOK

Curious George What Do You See?

In this fun, interactive book, characters will explain how they use a particular body part on their heads — ask your child to find the same body part looking in the shiny mirror pages of the book.

ARTICLE

The DOs and DON’Ts of Developing Your Young Child’s Pre-Reading Skills

A great list of things to do — or not do — to help your child be ready for reading.

ARTICLE

Top 10 Things You Can Give Your Child to Build Pre-Reading Skills

A quick list of things you can do to help your child prepare to read!

BOOK

White Rabbit’s Color Book

A fun book that will have your toddler noticing colors in a new way.

ARTICLE

HOW You Read to a Child Is Important

Learn a few simple techniques that you can add to your daily read-aloud sessions to make them even more valuable for your child.

BOOK

Uh-Oh! Oh-No!

Your little one will oves this book about when a daddy serves his little girl her milk and she accidentally drops it — Uh-oh! Oh-no!, what will happen next?

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