0-3 MONTHS– Recognizes and responds to parent’s voices. Responds to the sounds and rhythm of language around them. Likes to be held close and cuddled.
3-6 MONTHS– Sits in lap with head steady. Briefly looks at a book. Prefers to chew or suck on book.
6-12 MONTHS—Listens when spoken to. Beginning to recognize common words. Reaches for book. Sits without support. Turns pages of book with adult help. Looks at pictures and vocalizes.
12-18 MONTHS—Participates more actively in listening to simple stories. Holds a book with help. Turns pages of board book several at a time. Able to carry a book. Looks at picture books with interest. Points at pictures with one finger. Gives book to adult to read. Turns book right side up.
18-24 MONTHS—Turns board book pages easily, one at a time. Looks at pictures selectively. Points to pictures selectively. Points to pictures of common animals or object. Carries books around the house. Turns several pages in a regular book at once. Turns book right side up.
24-36 MONTHS—Points to and names familiar pictures. Finds detail in favorite picture books. Is interested in “read-to-me” books. Request favorite books to be read over and over. Repeats words or phrases from story. Holds a book upright. Turns pages individually.
3-4 YEARS—Describes actions depicted in pictures. Listens attentively to stories. Takes part in reading by “filling in” words and phrases. Pretends to read a book. Turns pages individually, beginning at the front of the book. Recognizes specific books by the cover. Begins to attend to specific print, such as letters in names. Comments on character in books.
4-5 YEARS—Gains information from books about real things. Tries to read books from memory. Follows along in book being read. Answers simple questions about stories. Can tell context of a story but may confuse facts. Recognizes print in the local environment. Recognizes own name in print.
5-6 YEARS—Recognizes many letters of the alphabet and the sounds that some of them make. Retells a story from a picture book with reasonable accuracy. Attempts to read unfamiliar books by looking at the pictures. Understand that letters written on a page represent spoken words. Understands that print moves from left to right and top to bottom of the page. Reads some words by sight.
