Teaching Babies and Toddlers to Talk with Books
How reading together builds the first building blocks of communication, and how the My First Learn-to-Talk books make it easy.
By Stephanie Cohen, M.A., CCC-SLP, CLC
Every parent waits for that first wave, clap, and first word. Babies learn to communicate from the earliest days. Newborns study their parents’ faces and attend to their voices as they develop their vision and listening skills. Throughout the first year of life, before first words emerge, babies learn building blocks of communication: facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures, and early sounds when interacting with their parents, especially during reading time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that reading be an integral part of parent-child routines as early as possible. Parents know how important reading is to their child’s development, but they message me every day asking two questions:
How do I help my child learn to say new words?
How do I help my child learn to love books?
Enter the My First Learn-to-Talk board book series—these books make it easy to help children learn to talk and love reading time!
Every My First Learn-to-Talk Book has simple photos of real baby and toddler faces, rhythm and rhyme, and can be used with early learners at any stage! There are ten books in the set so far, and at least six more to come. I help you cover everything from cars, trucks, and things that go to helping your child learn to say helpful words during bedtime, mealtime, and potty routines.
The most important thing to remember about reading with infants and toddlers is that each journey is unique. Offer your child the opportunity to explore books and discover what sparks their interest, imagination, and engagement!
Fair warning though: Your child will probably ask you to read these books over and over and over again! (sorry, not sorry)
Free Resources & Next Steps
💡 Get my free guide: “5 Tips To Increase Imitation”
Stuck trying to help your child say words?
Try my 5 Steps to Increase Imitation (repeating) with new sounds and words!
Imitation (repeating what someone says or does) is so important for baby and toddler learning! Let’s work on the building blocks together.
🌱 Continue the journey with me!
Start helping your child learn to talk and communicate in so many ways with my online courses. You’ll be able to confidently support your child’s communication from the very start. My fun, research-backed approach gives you easy, practical tools to boost language, connection, and joy every day.
Join now and start preparing your child for the best learning in the future! 💛
🧸 Want Help Choosing Toys That Actually Support Learning?
I also put together free Toy Guides with my favorite toys for babies, toddlers, and bigger kids—organized by age and developmental area.
📘 Read, Play, and Learn to Talk Together!
Stephanie’s Learn-to-Talk book series supports babies and toddlers in building first words, gestures, and communication skills through fun, everyday moments—whether it’s reading, playing, or discovering new experiences.
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