Tips for Taking Your Toddler to the Library

It’s never too early to begin nurturing a child’s love of books. In addition to reading to your child, trips to the library are a fun way to introduce a little one to the wonder of books. However, before you pack up your toddler and head to the library, there are a few things to keep in mind that will make the experience much more enjoyable for both you and your child.

Talk it up.

Set the stage for a successful library visit by talking with your toddler about it ahead of time. Presenting your child with a library bag is a great way to introduce the topic. Consider using kids bag tags to personalize the bag, making it truly special. You can then talk about how the library is full of books you can borrow and take home to read. Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw is a highly recommended book ideal for explaining how a library works.

Set the ground rules.

Good behavior is extremely important, especially in a library. To help save your sanity and avoid meltdowns, let your toddler know ahead of time what is expected of them such as talking in a soft voice and only taking one book off the shelf at a time.

Let your toddler lead.

The first visit to the library is a new and exciting experience for your child. Many libraries have children’s sections filled with colorful books and even toys. Allow your toddler to explore the library as they will and if they just want to play, that’s fine. Letting them discover the library at their own pace will help foster a love of the library.

Checkout time.

Have your child choose a book to check out and use that special library bag to carry it home in. Websites such as http://www.stuckonyou.co.uk/ are a fantastic resource for getting just the right bag. Follow these tips and that library bag is sure to see a lot of use!