Reading to toddlers and Preschoolers to build speech and language skills.

 📘 Using Biscuit and the Baby to Build Language Skills

For Toddlers & Young Preschoolers (Ages 2–3)

Reading with your child is more than just reading the words on the page. Talking about the pictures, asking questions, and repeating words helps your child build strong language skills. Biscuit and the Baby is a great book to do this because the story is familiar, the pictures are colorful, and the language is simple and meaningful.

You don’t need to do everything at once — just choose one or two ideas each time you read.

🧠 What to Focus On While Reading

1. Vocabulary

Point to pictures and say the words clearly. Give your child time to look, point, or try to say the word.

You can practice words like:

• baby

• dog

• crib

• sister

• rattle

• sleeping

• bunny

• blanket

• booties

• mom

• rocking chair

• bed

Parent tip:
Pick 3–5 words to repeat often during the story. Repetition helps children learn new words.  Say the words clearly and slowly.

Try expanding what your child says:

Child: “Baby.”

• Adult: “Yes, the baby is sleeping.”

• Child: “Dog!”

• Adult: “That’s Biscuit, the little dog.”

2. Asking Simple Questions

Questions help children learn to understand and use language. It’s okay if your child answers by pointing, making a sound, or using one word.

Try asking:

• “What is mom holding?”

• “Where are they sitting?”

• “What is the baby doing?”

• “Who does the puppy want to meet?”

• “Where is the puppy?”

• “Where is the baby?”

Parent tip:
If your child doesn’t answer, model the response:

• “The baby is in the crib.”

3. Describing Pictures

Talk about what you see in the pictures. This helps your child learn new describing words.

For example:

• “The dog is small.”

• “He has brown fur.”

• “Look at his long tail.”

• “The baby is tiny.”

• “Mom is wearing a blue housecoat.”

Use short, simple sentences and repeat them often.

4. Sound Play

• Make animal sounds: “Biscuit says woof woof!”

• Emphasize sounds in words such as the B sound in baby and Biscuit.”

5. Turn-Taking

• Let your child turn the pages

• Encourage pointing

• Pause and wait for them to respond

6. Connect to Real Life

Help your child relate the story to their world:

• “You have a blanket like the baby.”

• “We rock in a chair too.”

• “You have a stuffed bunny.”

7. Read It Again!

Reading the same book over and over helps children learn. Each time you read, your child may notice new things or say new words — and that’s progress!

💛 Remember for Parents

You don’t need to read every word perfectly or ask every question. Just talking together about the book — even for a few minutes — helps your child grow their language skills.