A picture-book conversation in five minutes
You do not need to finish every page to enjoy a useful reading moment.
Let the picture lead
Show the cover and ask what your child notices. They may point to a colour or a tiny detail. Use that interest as your starting point. Read slowly enough to leave space for questions and comments.
Talk about a character’s choice
Ask what might happen next or how a character could help. Accept imaginative answers. If a word is unfamiliar, explain it briefly with the picture instead of interrupting the story for a long vocabulary lesson.
Keep a favourite nearby
Repeating a favourite book lets children anticipate a phrase and join in. A PlayABC story can offer another short reading choice, but handling books, turning pages and talking face to face remain valuable parts of the routine.