BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

MAY 13, 2022

Your young child has been born into a world where technology is a way of life, but this doesn’t mean the printed word has any less power. Actually, books play a key role in your little one’s language and development, and reading with your under five is a daily habit that’s beneficial for both of you.  

From birth to big school, storytime provides opportunities for cuddlesome, gigglesome bonding experiences, and there’s no end to the fun that comes with a well-chosen, enthusiastically-read book.  

To understand which page-turners will resonate with your baby, toddler and preschooler, and how your reading style can support their learning, the Raising Children Network is kindly sharing some evidence-based pointers with us.  

Tips for reading with your baby 

The experts say it’s never too early to start reading with your bub. From the moment they pop into the world, you’re encouraged to share sounds, words and language, and although you’ll need to take things slow as you point out words and pictures, every book you share builds your baby’s understanding of the world.   

When choosing something to read, the three Rs are a good place to start, because babies love rhyme, rhythm and repetition. Stories that involve counting kisses and colourful animals always appeal, and littlies like to see other babies and faces on the page, too.  

At around 12 months of age, books about food and transport become interesting, and all babies, young and old, like titles that tickle the senses. Chunky board books, chewable cloth books and floatable plastic books are sure to grab your tiny tot’s interest, and a lift-the-flap book is a brilliant gift for their first birthday.   

When it comes to pictures, bright colours and high-contrast are king. Black and white images are ideal in your bub’s early months, as they’re easier for fuzzy new eyes to focus on, and full-colour pics of simple objects are interesting for your older bub.  

Raising Children Network has a stack of book recommendations for teeny  and not-so-tiny babies, and remember that what you read is only half the story. How you read is important, too.   

The way you hold a book, turn a page, move your mouth and say a word tells your little sponge a lot about literature and language, and in the first 12 months, the experts recommend that you: 

• Find a quiet, calm place to read with your baby, holding them so they’ve got a clear view of your face and the book
• Read each page slowly, giving your bub time to focus on the shape of words and pics before turning the page
• Point out and name things your baby sees on the page, so they can learn lots of different words, and
• Change your tone of voice as you read, so it’s easier for your baby to pick up on various speech sounds and try them in time. 

Then there’s the fun factor. Babies love surprising, silly or sing-song sounds (such as “BOO!”, “Mooooooo….” and “La, la, la!”), so pop these into the storytelling as you go, and make sure your truck voice is different from your train one!  

You can channel the rhythm of a book by bouncing your older bub on your knee, or gently patting them on the back, and if your baby likes one book or one type of book, then take their lead and read that book! Repeated readings help your little one learn, and storytime is a healthy habit, generally.  

Raising Children Network Director, Derek McCormack, explains that, ‘Reading and sharing stories every day helps your child’s development, and it’s great if you can make books part of your daily routine with your baby or young child. Just reading for a few minutes at a time is good. Remember, you don’t always have to finish the book, and as children grow, they can usually listen for longer.’ 

‘Rhyme Time’ sessions at your local library are also a great way to develop your bub’s pre-literacy and language skills in a regular, social way.   

Tips for reading with your toddler 

Your bub becomes a toddler in their second year of life, and while they’re busy learning to walk, talk and grapple with big emotions, they’re also getting in the swing of storytime.  

Your increasingly independent toddler will jump at the chance to choose a book and help with other important tasks, like turning its pages and commenting on its contents.  

Meanwhile, it’s your job to keep sharing sounds, words and language to fire up your kiddo’s imagination and learning.  

Between 12 and 18 months of age, you’re welcome to start running your finger under words and phrases as you read, encouraging your tyke to repeat them. Another trick is to pause part-way through a sentence and ask your toddler to complete it. You can also prompt them to name things in the pictures and explain actions (e.g. “What is the sheep doing?”). 

Action also translates well in the book itself. Titles with moveable bits, like lift-the-flap and pop-up books, are great for busy toddlers. And stories about animals, vehicles, playtime and other tyke-friendly topics (like space, fairies and music) are top picks for the book-list.  

Tales about daily activities, like bathing, toileting, dressing and sleeping are also on-theme as your toddler ups their life skills, and Raising Children Network has lots of book suggestions for this age bracket.  

Tips for reading with your preschooler  

In the two years before big school, your preschooler takes leaps and bounds with their literacy. They may learn the alphabet, identify sight words or even tackle early readers on their own, and sharing books with you supports all that.  

Simple stories with rhyme, rhythm and repetition get young imaginations buzzing, and books about shape, size, numbers and letters are great for ages three and four, because these titles combine education and entertainment.  

Your preschooler is still looking for a little of themselves in their reading list, so books about families, friends, big school and other preschoolers all have appeal.  

Books that get a giggle are great, too. Funny words, quirky characters and silly situations suit preschoolers perfectly, and your vocal cords continue to shine as you put on different voices and share a wry chuckle when endearingly ‘naughty’ characters do their thing.  

A quality early childhood educator will happily share reading tips and book recommendations, based on your tyke’s age and stage, and there’s plenty of book-list inspiration here, too. 

A couple of final pointers 

It’s also worth remembering that a book a day is just one way of sharing sounds, words and language with your baby, toddler and preschooler.   

Mr McCormack says, ‘If you don’t have a book or can’t make up a story on the spot, there are other ways you and your child can share letters, words and pictures. For example, you could look at packages, clothing, letters and notes, or signs and posters.’  

Ebooks tap into technology, subtitled songs get kids bopping along, and Raising Children Network has oodles of information about literacy, reading and stories related to babyhood and the preschool years.  

Remember, too, that storytime needn’t end when your child goes to big school. You’re encouraged to read with them as long as they’re interested, and in the early and later years, Mr McCormack says, ‘The special time you spend reading together promotes bonding and helps to build your relationship with your child.’  

Enjoy!