At what age should you start reading to your children?
Believe it or not, you can start reading to your baby as early as 24 weeks into pregnancy! Around this time, your little one can begin recognising the sound of your voice, so it's the perfect opportunity to start reading aloud to them to introduce the soothing rhythm of stories. It doesn’t even need to be a children’s book. Just read whatever you enjoy, whether it’s a novel, magazine, or even your shopping list! The key is to keep it calm and consistent.
After birth, reading aloud together becomes even more special. Snuggle up in a cosy, quiet spot and read a few pages from a favourite book. Your baby might not understand the words yet, but they’ll love hearing your voice and the comfort of being close.
Tips for Reading to Newborns to 4 Months Old
In the first few months, it’s all about creating calm, comforting moments. When you’re reading, choose simple baby books that are fun and colourful.
When you’re reading or selecting your book, remember to:
1. Talk and point: Even though they don’t understand the words, talking to your baby while reading helps them recognise language patterns. Point to pictures as you describe them as a simple way to build their world.
2. Bright and bold: Your baby’s eyesight is developing rapidly, so choose books with high-contrast colours and bold illustrations.
Here are some books we recommend for newborns:
- Elmer’s Walk by David McKee is full of bright images and simple words that are great for keeping babies interested. Elmer is a timeless classic that you and your little one will cherish throughout their developmental years.
- My Big Concepts Bookcase by Philip Dauncey is packed with fun characters and colourful illustrations that little ones will love exploring with you.
Tips for reading for 4-12 Month Olds
As your baby grows, routines become a big deal. Reading before bed or after bath time is a great way to build familiarity and settle them down.
Here’s how to keep reading fun during this stage:
1. Snuggle together in a quiet spot and stick to a daily reading schedule. Familiarity creates security, and reading becomes something they look forward to.
2. Teething can turn books into snacks, so choose board books that can handle some drool.
3. Don’t stress about finishing the whole book. A few pages a night is plenty, especially since attention spans are short at this age.
Here are some books we recommend for 4-12 month olds:
- Noisy Bathtime by Jamie French and Aleksandra Szmidt is packed full of fun onomatopoeic language and charming illustrations.
- Happy Birthday: A Peter Rabbit Tale by Beatrix Potter is ideal for early readers, with simple stories that engage babies while introducing them to classic characters. The sturdy, chew-proof pages also make them great for teething babies and a good option to soothe sore gums.
Tips for reading to 13 – 18 Months
This is when the reading gets interactive! Your little one is curious and ready to explore books in new ways. You can make story time even more engaging with funny voices and silly sounds, or you can even make puppets to bring stories to life and create beautiful memories with your little explorer.
Here are some of our favourite tips:
1. Interactive books and pop-up books encourage exploration and curiosity. The bright colours and surprises under each flap will keep them coming back for more.
2. Start pointing to pictures and asking simple questions about the book to engage them. Books that are bright, interactive, and vocabulary-boosting are perfect for this.
3. Having a selection of books available lets your toddler pick their favourites. Keep them in a basket near their toys to encourage independent exploration.
Here are some books we recommend for 13-18 month olds:
- Hide and Seek Pop Ups: Farm by Matthew Scott is perfect for keeping the little ones entertained with interactive features and colourful illustrations.
- First Questions and Answers: Why do we need bees? by Katie Daynes is an excellent option for curious young minds. With its bright illustrations and interactive story, you and your little one will love learning on every page.
Tips for reading to 18 – 24 Months
Toddlers at this stage are developing their own interests and personalities, and getting even more curious about the world around them. By tailoring books to their favourite themes, you will keep them engaged and make reading much more enjoyable.
Here are some of our top tips for reading to kids:
1. Choose books that match their interests. Does your toddler love dinosaurs? Dogs? Bluey? Choose books that align with their current obsessions to keep their attention.
2. Books with repetitive phrases, like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, are great for building language skills and participation. They’ll start to recognise patterns and chime in with their favourite parts.
3. Place books within reach so your toddler can choose what to read. Making books part of their play area helps integrate reading into their daily routine.
Here are some books we recommend for 18-24 month olds:
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury is a classic for a reason. Kids love to get involved with the fun rhyming repetitions, and the charming illustrations bring the book to life.
- I'll Love You Forever by Owen Hart explores the seasons with Polar Bears and Cubs as they experience the beauty of nature’s changes. From winter’s snowy landscapes to the golden hues of autumn, Cub realises that no matter the season, a parent’s love is forever.
Happy Reading!
From the first snuggles with newborns to fun-filled storytime adventures with toddlers, reading aloud is one of the best ways to connect with your child and help them grow. Each stage of early childhood offers unique opportunities to learn and bond, whether it’s pointing at pictures, lifting flaps, or joining in on rhymes.
Ready to begin? Check out our collection of children’s books and baby books for more. If you’re after more top tips, we’ve written posts on tips for families to make reading fun and the best books to teach kids to read. Get ready to make reading a magical journey for your little one!
