Want to raise a reader? Why not write a hand-written letter that your child can pick up from the mailbox? Sprinkle in some toddler language development and make your child's mail extra special by following a few toddler learning tips:
- Write about toddler activities that are important to your child -- his loose tooth, the fight he had with his friend or a big event coming up.
- Draw simple pictures to replace some words. This way your child can "read" parts of the letter.
- Use some big words your child might not know. Young children love the sounds of new and complex words. Don't just write you are proud of her. Say you admire her stupendous effort. Her vocabulary will grow, and she'll love impressing her family with the new words.
- Skip the stamp and use a colorful square sticker. Instead of mailing, just slip your child's letter into the day's mail before she sees it.
- Subscribe to a children's magazine or newsletter so your child will receive regular mail-even when you don't have time to write. Here are a few to try:
- Babybug (6 months to 2 years). Meant to be read aloud. Each issue is like getting a new book filled with short poems and stories.
- Ladybug (2 to 6 years). Each issue contains read-aloud stories, activities that build memory and motor skills, illustrated songs and poems.
- Click (3 to 7 years). Introduces young children to the arts, sciences, history, nature, and the environment. All three are published by the Cricket Magazine Group
- Sesame Street Magazine (2 to 5 years). -Published by the Children's Television Workshop, each issue features stories, games, puzzles and other fun that will keep your little ones occupied for hours.
You can find children's magazines in all price ranges at your local bookstore. Not sure which magazine to buy? You can read current and back issues of many children's magazines at your local library.
Find one your child would enjoy, then subscribe to have it sent to your child.