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.

Reading and sharing stories can:

• help your child become familiar with sounds, words, language and the value of books
• spark your child’s imagination, stimulate curiosity and help his brain development
• help your child learn the difference between ‘real’ and ‘make-believe’
• help your child understand change and new or frightening events, and also the strong emotions that can go along with them
• help your child develop early literacy skills like the ability to listen to and understand words.

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. Your child will learn by watching you hold a book the right way and seeing how you move through the book by gently turning the pages.

Reading stories with children has benefits for grown-ups too. The special time you spend reading together promotes bonding and helps to build your relationship. This is important for your child’s developing social and communication skills.

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. Sometimes your child might enjoy these activities more than reading.

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.

Using a language you’re comfortable with helps you to communicate more easily and helps to make reading, singing and storytelling more fun for you both. Your child will still learn that words are made up of different letters, syllables and sounds, and that words usually link to the pictures on the page.

Don’t worry if English isn’t your child’s first language. Knowing another language will actually help your child learn English when she starts playgroup, kindergarten or school.

Dual-language books are a great resource, and many children’s books are published in two languages. If you speak a language other than English at home, reading dual-language books with your child might also help you become more familiar with English.

Another option is to read a book aloud in English and talk about it with your child in whatever language feels most comfortable to both of you.

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’s not 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 or posters in shops, or on buses and trains – point out signs that have the same letters as your child’s name
• menus – these can be fun for older children to look at 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. A reading chair where you’re both comfortable can become part of your reading routine.
• Turn off the TV or radio, and find a quiet place to read so your child can hear your voice.
• 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!
• 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.

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. In fact, one of the ways that children learn is through repetition and rhyme.

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.

You can also vary the books you read. Picture books, magazines, instruction manuals, TV guides and letters can all be interesting and engaging for your child. Arranging book swaps with friends, or at your parent group or early childhood centre, can be a good way to try new books without much expense.

Using your local library

Libraries have a lot to offer. Getting to know your local library can be a part of learning about and loving books.

You can borrow great children’s books for free from your local library. This means you can have lots of books in your home for your child to explore – and it won’t cost you a cent.

Taking your child to the library and letting him choose his own books can be a fun adventure. You can talk about and plan your trip to the library with your child, and get excited together. You could ask your child, for example:

• How many books will you choose?
• How many books can you find by your favourite author?
• Will you borrow books that have animals in them?
• Do you have a favourite book you’d like to borrow again?
• How many days will it be before we go to the library again?

Libraries also offer story times and activities for young children. Going along to these sessions is a way to help your child get familiar with the library, have fun and enjoy books and stories.

Libraries often stock audio books and dual-language books. You can listen to audio books in the car or as a family at home together. Many libraries also provide access to e-books through their websites.

Just contact your local library for more information.