Place small, safe objects that all start with the same letter (e.g., spoon, soap, straw, sock) in a paper bag. Let your child read into the bag. Without your child peeking, let his or her guess what it is. Talk about what letter all the objects start with.

Have fun reading or telling stories with you child. Children love to hear the human voice. Even babies find great comfort in listening to voices. What better way for them to hear you speak than through reading to them! In fact, one of the best ways to encourage a love of reading is to have a regular time for sharing books with your child each day.

Follow the motions with your child.

Hands on shoulders, hand on knees,
Hands behind you, if you please.

Touch your shoulders, now your noise.
Now your hair, and now your toes.

Hands up high as before,
Now clap your hands,
One-two-three-four!

Visit the local public library with your child. If you don't already have a library card, apply for one so that you can check out books and magazines (some libraries will even let you check out toys, videos, and tapes). January is a great month to look at books on weather.