Interactive Bedtime Reading

Step by step

1. 1Pick a favorite picture book, find a calm moment, and settle into a cozy spot.
2. 2Snuggle up together so you can both see the pages clearly.
3. 3Pause while reading: point and ask, “And look, what is the bunny doing?”, then stay quiet.
4. 4Really wait, a full 5 to 10 seconds: treat any word, sound, or gesture as a valid answer. If they say nothing, answer cheerfully yourself and keep going—the question will come back tomorrow.
5. 5Build on their answer: “Yes! He is hiding BEHIND the tree!” Echo their words and add a little extra detail.
6. 6Reread without counting: reading the same book ten nights in a row is the repetition that locks everything in.

What it builds

Reading a book by asking questions and letting your child chime in does twice as much for their speech as silent listening. At bedtime, these ten minutes are easily the best-spent of the day.