Reading and storytelling with babies and children

Why reading is important for babies and young children

Sharing stories, talking and singing every day helps your child’s development in lots of ways.

Sharing stories with your child doesn’t mean you have to read. Just by looking at books with your child, you can be a great storyteller and a good model for using language and books.

Reading stories with children has benefits for grown-ups too. The special time you spend reading together  helps to build your relationship.

You can start reading aloud to your baby as early as you like – the earlier the better. Your baby will love being held in your arms, listening to your voice, hearing rhyme and rhythm, and looking at pictures. 

Storytelling and songs

Reading isn’t the only way to help with your child’s language and literacy development.

Telling stories, singing songs and saying rhymes together are also great activities for early literacy skills – and your child will probably have a lot of fun at the same time.

You might like to make up your own stories or share family stories. Your child will learn words and develop language skills from the songs, stories and conversations you share together.

Reading to your child in other languages

You can read, sing and tell stories with your child in whatever language you feel most comfortable speaking.

Don’t worry if the country's majority language isn’t your child’s home language language. A good foundation in a while's first language actually helps your child learn the second language more easily later.

If you like, you can talk about the pictures in the book instead of reading the words. Could you and your child make up a story together? Do what you can and as much as you’re comfortable with.

When to read, sing and tell stories with your child

Bedtime, bath time, potty time, on the train, on the bus, in the car, in the park, in the pram, in the cot, when you’re in the GP’s waiting room ... any time is a good time for a story! You can make books part of your daily routine – take them with you to share and enjoy everywhere.

Knowing when to stop can be just as important as finding the time to share a story in the first place. Pay attention to your child’s reaction to the story, and stop if he isn’t enjoying it this time. You can always try a book, song or story at another time.

If you don’t have a book or can’t make up a story on the spot, don’t worry. There are many other ways you and your child can share letters, words and pictures. For example, you can look at:

• packages at home or in the supermarket, especially food packaging
• clothing – what does it say on the t-shirt? What colour is it?
• letters and notes – what do they say? Who sent them?
• signs in shops, or on buses and trains if you can travel, or in magazines or catalogs if not – point out signs that have the same letters as your child’s name
• menus in restaurants or online – it can be fun for older children to look at menus and work out what they want to eat.

Tips for sharing books with babies and young children

• Make a routine and try to share at least one book every day. Children who are read to become better readers!  Find a reading chair where you’re both comfortable.
• Turn off your devices and find a quiet place to read.
• Hold your child close or on your knee while you read, so she can see your face and the book.
• Try out funny noises and sounds – play and have fun!
• Make the book-reading "interactive"--stop and say things like "Ooh, what do you think will happen next?" or "Do you see the cat?  Who has a cat in our family?" Involve your child by encouraging talk about the pictures, and by repeating familiar words and phrases.
• Let your toddler choose the books when he’s old enough to start asking – and be prepared to read his favourite books over and over again!

If you have older children, they can share books with your younger children, or you can all read together. Taking turns, asking questions and listening to the answers are all important skills that will help your child when she starts learning to read.

Even reading for a few minutes at a time is effective – you don’t always have to finish the book.

What sort of books to read with your child

There are so many books to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start.

As a broad rule, young children often enjoy books, songs and stories that have good rhyme, rhythm and repetition.

Choose books that are the right length for your child and that match your child’s changing interests.

For a guide to what might suit your child, you might like to look at the following articles:

• Reading with babies from birth
• Reading with babies from 12 months
• Reading with toddlers
• Reading with preschoolers.

If you want to try new books or magazines without much cost, perhaps you could arrange book swaps with friends who have children the same age.

Using a local library

If you are able to get to a free library in your community, you'll find that libraries have a lot to offer for you and your child.  Borrowing books, if that is possible in your situation, means you will always have new things to read with your child. 

Taking your child to the library and letting her choose her own books can be a fun adventure.

Many libraries offer story times and activities for young children.