The Ultimate Guide to Reading to Kids: Expert Tips for Every Age!
Reading to children isn’t just a sweet bedtime ritual—it’s a proven way to boost language skills, enhance imagination, and build emotional bonds. According to the experts, the way you read is just as important as the act of reading itself. In fact, research shows that interactive, engaging reading techniques can significantly improve language development and early literacy. Below, you’ll find our top expert-approved tips for making story time fun and educational, followed by age-specific advice to tailor your reading approach.
Disclaimer: I want to be clear that there is no WRONG way to read to your children. Any time you pick up a book and read to them, you are contributing to their language and literacy growth. These are just some tips to enhance the experience and guide you if you are feeling unsure of how to read to them!
Since this blog first published, I’ve launched an updated and jam-packed guide The Read Aloud Roadmap full of my top favorite books for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and Kindergarten age children! Learn my top tips and more, and use code BLOG10 for 10% off as a thank you for reading my blog!
Why Reading to Children is So Important
Research has proven that reading to children, starting from birth, has a dramatic effect on language development, emotional skills, and future academic success. In a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who were read to regularly from infancy showed a 40% increase in receptive language skills compared to their non-read counterparts. Similarly, a 2019 study by Ohio State University found that children who are read five books a day before kindergarten will have heard 1.4 million more words than those who aren't.
A 2016 study by the National Institute for Literacy revealed that children who were read to frequently before entering school were 80% more likely to have above-average literacy skills by the third grade. These are staggering numbers, and they tell us something vital: reading to kids works. But how you read matters too! Below, we explore tips and best practices for reading to children of different ages.
How to Read to Babies (0-12 Months)
Reading to babies is about building early language skills, bonding, and having fun. While they might not fully grasp the story, they’re taking in every sound, expression, and rhythm.
Keep it Short & Sweet
Babies have short attention spans. Aim for a couple of minutes at a time and follow their cues—if they’re starting to fuss, don’t push it. Short and positive interactions are better than drawn-out ones.Choose High-Contrast Books
Babies love bold colors and sharp contrasts. Choose books with simple images in black and white or bright primary colors to keep their attention focused.Focus on Rhythm and Melody
Babies love the rhythm of language, so emphasize sing-song tones and repetitive phrases. Rhyming books and stories with a predictable cadence will hold their attention.Start YOUNG, It May Even Improve Sleep…!?
As a mom, I’m desperate for good sleep! A big help in our household when my oldest was a baby was having a consistent bedtime routine. We added a few books to Graham’s bedtime routine from the time he was a newborn. Not only did it help him know bedtime was coming, I really think it laid the foundation for him being able to focus and attend to stories as he got older. He knew that bedtime was a set time for us to read together and he looks forward to that special time every night.
How to Read to Toddlers (12-24 Months)
Toddlers are curious, chatty, and love to move! They’re learning new words every day, so reading with them is all about interaction.
Let Them Turn the Pages
Toddlers love to be in control. Give them a chance to turn the pages themselves, even if it means skipping ahead or taking a few extra seconds. This gives them a sense of ownership over story time.Point and Label
Point out pictures in the book and label them: “Look, a blue car!” or “Here’s a big, fluffy cat.” This builds vocabulary and helps them associate words with images.Repetition and Routine
This is the age you will see their language grow exponentially! A great way to help teach new words is with repetitive books that you read night after night. This predictable routine and practice reading the same words over and over is not only helpful for learning new words but adds in comfortability for your young toddler to know what to expect.Let Them Roam
I don’t have to tell you that asking a toddler to sit still is a bit unrealistic! Focus less on having your little one sitting and engaging in the book and let them run around! Choose books that ask them to follow directions like “Don’t Push the Button!” or “Stomp!”
How to Read to Preschoolers (3-5 Years)
Preschoolers are full of imagination and love to ask “Why?” They’re ready for more complex narratives and can handle longer stories.
Encourage Predictions
Pause occasionally and say, “I wonder what will happen next…” This helps develop their comprehension and problem-solving skills, and gets them thinking critically about the story.The sillier the better!
Preschoolers love to explore humor and learning to read should be FUN! Look for books that have silly words or ask them to act out funny moves. Interactive books are incredibly engaging and lead to so much spontaneous language!
A favorite of mine in this style is “I say OOH, You say AAH” by John Kane through PaperPie books!
Discuss Emotions
Take time to talk about the emotions in the story: “I wonder how he felt when his bike broke” or “Oh he looks so sad. He’s frowning because he is sad”. This builds empathy and emotional intelligence while strengthening comprehension.Ever Read a Pretend Book?!
My preschooler’s favorite book to read is an invisible book… yep! He will run to his bookshelf and pretend to get a book, “hand it to me” and say “read this book about pirates!” It involves some on the spot creativity to come up with a plot about pirates, but he doesn’t care if the story isn’t Pullitzer prize winning. All he cares about is having fun! My husband’s favorite pretend books are the ones where he tells the story of how Mommy and Daddy met, The Story of Graham, etc.
How to Read to Kindergarteners
School-aged kids can handle more intricate plots, deeper themes, and have opinions about what they read. They’re also starting to become independent readers, so foster that excitement!
Start Introducing Lengthier Stories
At this age, children are starting to attend longer to books. Soon they’ll be tackling chapter books, but for now a great introduction to these longer stories are the “5 Minute Stories” and Storybook Collections. Many of their favorite television or movie characters are often featured in these stories which is a great way to tie in non-screentime but still celebrate their favorites!Dive Into Phonological Awareness
I often notice when teaching children to read, parents will jump to letter recognition or sight words. And those skills have a role in learning to read for sure! However, literacy experts agree that teaching phonological awareness skills is a more effective strategy. A research study found that children with strong phonological awareness skills became better readers compared to those who only practiced letter recognition (Stahl & Murray).
Point out Story Details
This is a great age for learning about the format of a book. Talk through the Title of the Book, discuss what an Author is, show the cover of the book and the back of the book. Titles are in big fonts so it’s a great time to work on letter recognition. My preschooler loves finding “his letter” so we search the Title page for a “G”.
How to Pick the Right Books for Kids
Finding the perfect book can make all the difference in turning a child into a lifelong reader. As I said before, there’s never a wrong way to read and there’s never a wrong book to read. But if you’re looking to expand your home library, here are some tips for choosing engaging and age-appropriate books:
Books with Repetitive Phrases or Words
Books with Fewer (or No!) Words
Books with Interactive Pages
Books with Captivating Images
For a full breakdown of these tips and my top books under each category, be sure to check out The Read Aloud Roadmap!
Not Every Reader is Created Equally
I want to point out that every child is unique, and each journey to independent reading is different. As a speech therapist, I know the challenges that not one strategy fits all and I love finding unique ways to meet unique learning needs. If your little one needs more than traditional books like the ones listed above, be sure to check out the Read Aloud Roadmap, where I break down some unique strategies for reading with diverse learners.
The Takeaway: Reading is a Joyful Journey, Not a Destination
Whether you’re making silly sounds for a baby, exploring illustrations with a toddler, discussing a preschooler’s thoughts on the story, or encouraging a school-aged child to choose their own books, the goal remains the same: to make reading an enjoyable experience. The research is clear—kids who are read to regularly perform better academically, develop stronger language skills, and are more likely to become lifelong readers. So grab a book, get cozy, and have fun with story time!
As a special treat for those who read this blog, you can receive 10% off the Read Aloud Roadmap using code BLOG10 at checkout. Click here to learn more!
