Peekaboo Bedtime illustrates a toddler’s game of peekaboo with everyone he sees on his way to bed. Beautiful and large illustrations of smiling faces will engage even the youngest eyes. As your baby grows into a toddler, she will enjoy the predictable text and visual clues that hint as to what is coming next. Bedtime stories are a great way to help your baby relax and build beginning reading skills.
Before, During and After Reading
Phonological Awareness
Play a simple game of Peekaboo with this poem:
Where’s my baby? (Look around the room)
Peek -a-boo! (Make eye contact with your baby)
There’s my baby, (Gently run your fingers on baby’s tummy or arms)
I love you! (As you gently hug and kiss your baby)
Letter Knowledge
As you read, use descriptive words to talk about the illustrations. You might say:
Peekaboo! Baby found his daddy! Here is his daddy. (Point to the picture of the daddy.)
Touching what you are talking about helps your baby’s focus. Watch her eyes to see if she focuses on what you are touching or if she looks at another part of the page. Follow her gaze and then use descriptive words to describe what she is looking at.
As you point out pictures and differences in objects, you are helping your baby with beginning reading skills like future alphabet learning.
Oral Language
Use the book’s refrain to describe things you see around the house. For example:
Peekaboo! I see your blue teddy bear.
Peekaboo! I see your blanket.
If your baby enjoys Peekaboo, try reading these books together:
- Baby Says Peekaboo! (a lift-the-flap book)
- Peek-A-WHO?
- Baby Faces: Peek-a-Boo!
Explore more recommended children's books for babies and infants from birth to five months of age. Or, find an easy at-home activity designed to build pre-reading skills in your baby.
