Without a Word

Enjoy wordless picture books with your child.

Nov 28, 2012

Ages

Infant-2

Mother and son reading
A portrait of a mother and a son reading a book

Nov 28, 2012

Parents often overlook wordless picture books because they can seem intimidating. But reading them together encourages kids to use their imagination, and they also help develop problem-solving skills and self-confidence. The illustrations provide a story, but it's up to you to provide the text. The next time you "read" a wordless picture book with your child, pretend it's a game — take a deep breath and let your creative juices flow.

Infants and Toddlers
Since little ones have limited attention spans, the best books for babies are indeed those with few or no words. The key rule is to keep it simple. Look for high-contrast images, photos, or drawings of people or everyday objects, try out some classic picture books or the Dorling Kindersley series My First Learning Library.

As your little one gets older there's a certain comfort in hearing familiar words, so stick to the basics with them. But as your child grows, encourage creativity by introducing new ideas as you "read" and by welcoming suggestions from your child. Kids have endless curiosity and the energy to go with it. Wordless picture books can provide a glimpse into their ever-expanding world.

 

Problem Solving
Developing Reading Skills
Reading
Vocabulary
Imagination
Age 1
Infant
Age 2
Communication and Language Development
First Words
Creativity and Imagination
Early Reading
Confidence and Self-Esteem