I LOVED this. A low-screen, high-book (lol) home is something I aspire to have. Question: do you have any audiobooks you recommend for toddlers? My 3yo is very active and I’ve never seen her actually follow an audio story or podcast before - we have a Yoto but maybe our cards are too advanced for her. Would love to hear if you have recs! Thanks!
All can be found on Spotify! We started with these and then gradually went to longer form stories and it was a natural transition. Hope this was helpful!!
My kids favourite audio book at age three was Frog and Toad read by Arnold Lobel. Our library had it as an e-audiobook. They’ve also enjoyed the Beatrix Potter stories, but I found they enjoyed the audiobook more after I’d read them aloud first
this is practical and easy to follow! we have an 8 month old, and he definitely sees us using our phones, laptops and tablets but we have yet to put anything on for him. trying to model HEALTHY tech use while also not really putting anything on for him specifically.
I think trying to model a healthy relationship with screens is the best thing you can do at this age! And really any age. You’re doing a great job, mama!!
I can testify that these tips work! My little ones will often sit around looking at books with no prompting. Opting for a low-screen lifestyle, keeping a rotation of books within easy access, and modeling reading helped this happen.
We started reading our oldest chapter books at age 3 because that’s what we were excited to read with her. Now she’s almost 5 and I’m reading her “Little Women.” So much of the language is way over her head, but she loves it!
We started with chapter books in this last year with my four year old and he is absolutely loving it. At first I didn’t think he would gravitate to them, but he was clearly ready! Being able to share books like Little Women with her must feel so fun for you, too ☺️ Thank you so much for sharing and so glad this post resonated with you!
Yes! When I started reading my 3-year-old “Peter Pan”, I was sure she was too young, but she couldn’t get enough. She does appreciate a chapter book with a few pictures though!
Yes! We are always on the hunt for ones that have good pictures on (almost) every page. Right now we are into the Magic Treehouse books (although I don’t love all of them) and the Dragon Masters series. We loved Peter Pan and I’m contemplating starting Harry Potter already, but also know that may be super premature 😅
My girls are obsessed with books. All day every day, books books books 😂 I need more recommendations to keep us sane! We probably have 100 a home! Curious George and Madeleine are current favourites for my three year old. My one year old loves flap books… and also the Bluey book ‘Cricket’ (she doesn't watch the show)
Such a great post! My daughter is 6 months old and one of my biggest worries is screens. I don’t have the tv on at all but I use my phone for errands during the day. I want her to love reading! I will be using these tips as she grows- thank you
Great tips! I’m very hopeful for a reader (and drawer). I’ve gotten into audiobooks lately, but I seriously need to build my reading muscle to be a good role model. Definitely on board for smoothie books!
Love this. I am also an advocate for intentional parenting, and books over screens is of huge importance in our house. Of course we’re not perfect, but we try our best. These are great tips!
Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply! I’m glad it resonated with you and was helpful. I agree, no one is getting a gold star for perfection here and just trying to be intentional about this stuff when we can is a huge win 🥇
I LOVED this. A low-screen, high-book (lol) home is something I aspire to have. Question: do you have any audiobooks you recommend for toddlers? My 3yo is very active and I’ve never seen her actually follow an audio story or podcast before - we have a Yoto but maybe our cards are too advanced for her. Would love to hear if you have recs! Thanks!
At that age we really leaned heavily on Podcasts!
Some of our favorites:
Thomas and Friends Storytime
Supertruck: Stories for Kids
Disney Storytime
Gardenkeeper Gus
Deep Blue Sea
All can be found on Spotify! We started with these and then gradually went to longer form stories and it was a natural transition. Hope this was helpful!!
We have a toniebox… Peppa pig is a bit for her and she likes the Lilo & Stitch story. It's good because they have songs as well.
My kids favourite audio book at age three was Frog and Toad read by Arnold Lobel. Our library had it as an e-audiobook. They’ve also enjoyed the Beatrix Potter stories, but I found they enjoyed the audiobook more after I’d read them aloud first
Thank you!! Perfect!
this is practical and easy to follow! we have an 8 month old, and he definitely sees us using our phones, laptops and tablets but we have yet to put anything on for him. trying to model HEALTHY tech use while also not really putting anything on for him specifically.
I think trying to model a healthy relationship with screens is the best thing you can do at this age! And really any age. You’re doing a great job, mama!!
I can testify that these tips work! My little ones will often sit around looking at books with no prompting. Opting for a low-screen lifestyle, keeping a rotation of books within easy access, and modeling reading helped this happen.
We started reading our oldest chapter books at age 3 because that’s what we were excited to read with her. Now she’s almost 5 and I’m reading her “Little Women.” So much of the language is way over her head, but she loves it!
We started with chapter books in this last year with my four year old and he is absolutely loving it. At first I didn’t think he would gravitate to them, but he was clearly ready! Being able to share books like Little Women with her must feel so fun for you, too ☺️ Thank you so much for sharing and so glad this post resonated with you!
Yes! When I started reading my 3-year-old “Peter Pan”, I was sure she was too young, but she couldn’t get enough. She does appreciate a chapter book with a few pictures though!
Yes! We are always on the hunt for ones that have good pictures on (almost) every page. Right now we are into the Magic Treehouse books (although I don’t love all of them) and the Dragon Masters series. We loved Peter Pan and I’m contemplating starting Harry Potter already, but also know that may be super premature 😅
My girls are obsessed with books. All day every day, books books books 😂 I need more recommendations to keep us sane! We probably have 100 a home! Curious George and Madeleine are current favourites for my three year old. My one year old loves flap books… and also the Bluey book ‘Cricket’ (she doesn't watch the show)
As an educator who now writes about family reading, I fully endorse all of these tips! ☺️
Thank you!! ✨✨
Such a great post! My daughter is 6 months old and one of my biggest worries is screens. I don’t have the tv on at all but I use my phone for errands during the day. I want her to love reading! I will be using these tips as she grows- thank you
Great tips! I’m very hopeful for a reader (and drawer). I’ve gotten into audiobooks lately, but I seriously need to build my reading muscle to be a good role model. Definitely on board for smoothie books!
Smoothie book is the best!!
Love this. I am also an advocate for intentional parenting, and books over screens is of huge importance in our house. Of course we’re not perfect, but we try our best. These are great tips!
Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply! I’m glad it resonated with you and was helpful. I agree, no one is getting a gold star for perfection here and just trying to be intentional about this stuff when we can is a huge win 🥇