Turn the Page

1. 1

   During shared reading, give your child an active part by letting them turn the pages. Try the following ideas.

2. 2

   Begin with a cloth book or an interactive picture book with sturdy flaps or pieces that invite touching and turning.

3. 3

   As the story moves forward, pause at the end of each page and let your child reveal what comes next.

4. 4

   Ask with genuine curiosity, “What happens next?” or “And then?” The small suspense gives them a reason to turn the page.

5. 5

   When the story connects with something seen earlier, say, “Did we see this before? Let’s go back and look.” Return to the related page and show that a book can be revisited.

What to notice

• Turns back to an earlier page while reading Fine Motor
• Talks about a character or favorite part of the story Emergent Literacy

Tips

• Your child may touch the page, study a picture, and only then turn it. Follow their pace; the pause can reveal details they would otherwise miss.
• If a small bird, flower, or other detail holds their attention, talk about it. Following that interest can be more valuable than finishing every page in order.

Developmental benefits

• Movement: Grasping and turning pages during shared reading gives your child practice controlling their fingers and coordinating what they see with hand movement.
• Language: Turning to the next picture, predicting what may happen, and returning to an earlier scene helps your child connect pictures with the sequence of a story.