Reading Together
Dialogic reading technique
Transform story time into the most powerful language-building activity of the day. Learn to read WITH your child, not just TO them.
Expert SLP Commentary
MA, CCC-SLP
Dialogic reading flips the script on traditional story time. Instead of reading every word on the page, you ask questions, let your child lead, and comment on pictures together. The book becomes a conversation starter, not a script to follow.
SLP Tip
The single best predictor of language development is how many books a child is exposed to. But HOW you read matters more than how many books you own.
This Week's Video
What to watch for:
Notice how the reader pauses on each page, points to pictures, and waits for the child to respond before turning. This is dialogic reading.
Reading with Toddlers by Speech Pathology Tips on YouTube
Refrigerator Card
Download PDFPrint this and stick it on your fridge for quick reference.
Before reading
Let your child choose the book and hold it
Example:
Offer two books and let them pick. Hand them the book so they control the page turns.
Tip: Re-reading the same book over and over is great — repetition builds familiarity and confidence.
During reading
Ask open-ended questions about the pictures
Example:
"What do you see? What's the doggy doing? Where is the ball?" Point to pictures as you talk.
Tip: Don't worry about reading every word on the page. The conversation matters more than the text.
After reading
Connect the story to your child's life
Example:
"The boy had a dog! We have a dog too! What's our dog's name?"
Tip: Making personal connections helps children remember and use new vocabulary.
Educational Content Only
This content is for general educational purposes. It does not replace a professional evaluation or constitute medical advice.