Helga, Age 4 Months, Learning Literacy Skills

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To Think About:

What do you see Helga doing?

How does Patricia read and respond to Helga’s actions and sounds?

What do you think Helga is learning about books and reading as she and her mom read together?

What the Experts Say About This Interaction

What Helga does:

• Shows her interest in the book by reaching out for it.

• Explores the book with her mouth to try and figure out how it works.

• Makes sounds, as if she is “reading” with her mother. This builds language and communication skills.

What Patricia does:

• Labels the pictures which teaches Helga new words. This also helps Helga begin to understand that words are symbols for things.

• Reads Helga’s signals that she wants to go back to an earlier page. This lets Helga know her interests are important.

Think About How Your Child Is Learning These Skills

• How does your child like to explore books? (For example, mouthing, pointing, turning pages, acting out the story.)

• How does she let you know what books she likes?

• What do you think she is learning from reading books?

• How do you help your child understand and love books?