When Should Parents Start Reading to Their Children?
A guide to early literacy, its benefits, and practical tips for getting started
Reading to children is one of the most enriching activities a parent can engage in, fostering not only language development but also emotional bonding, cognitive growth, and a lifelong love of learning. But many parents find themselves wondering: when is the right time to start reading to my child? The answer may be earlier than you think.
Start Reading From Birth (Or Even Before)
The Earliest Days Matter
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents should begin reading aloud to their children starting in infancy, as early as birth (AAP, 2014). While it might seem that a newborn can't understand the words being read, the benefits begin accumulating from the very beginning.
Reading aloud to infants helps them begin to recognize sounds, rhythms, and patterns of language. A fetus in the third trimester can hear sounds from the outside world, including their parents’ voices. Studies suggest that newborns even show preference for familiar stories heard in utero (DeCasper & Spence, 1986).
Early Exposure Builds Brains
By age three, a child’s brain is already 80% developed, and the early interactions between parent and child, especially involving language, play a pivotal role in cognitive development (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000). A landmark study by Hart and Risley (1995) found that children exposed to more words in early life developed larger vocabularies and better academic outcomes later on.
Reading aloud is one of the best ways to provide this linguistic exposure, and doing so consistently from infancy primes the brain for literacy and learning.
The Benefits of Reading Early and Often
1. Language Development and Literacy
Early reading enhances a child's vocabulary, comprehension, and phonological awareness, key precursors to reading independently. Children who are read to regularly know more words by age 2 than those who aren't. In a 2019 study, researchers estimated that by the time they enter kindergarten, children who are read to daily have heard 1.4 million more words than those who are not (Logan et al., 2019).
2. Emotional and Social Bonding
Reading time is also bonding time. Cuddling with a parent while hearing their voice creates a positive emotional experience tied to books. This safe and nurturing routine fosters emotional security and strengthens parent-child relationships.
3. Improved Attention and Listening Skills
Books demand a slower pace than screens. Listening to stories helps children develop the patience and focus needed for school. They learn to follow a narrative, anticipate what comes next, and ask questions - all crucial cognitive skills.
4. Cognitive and Imaginative Growth
Books open up new worlds. From understanding cause and effect to empathizing with fictional characters, reading stimulates imagination and supports the development of critical thinking.
5. Academic Performance
Children who are read to frequently perform better in school, not just in reading, but across subjects. A longitudinal study by the OECD (2012) showed that students whose parents read with them in their early years had higher reading scores at age 15.
How to Get Started: Tips for New Parents
1. Make Reading a Part of the Daily Routine
Routines help children feel secure. Build reading into your daily schedule; perhaps after breakfast, before naptime, or as part of a bedtime ritual. Even just 10–15 minutes a day makes a difference.
Tip: Bedtime is often ideal because it’s calm and free from distractions. Plus, it helps children wind down and associate reading with comfort.
2. Choose Age-Appropriate Books
Here’s a quick guide for age-appropriate reading:
0–6 months: High-contrast black-and-white images, cloth or board books, and simple language. Your voice and rhythm are most important at this stage.
6–12 months: Books with textures, flaps, or mirrors. Introduce simple stories with repetition and rhyme.
1–2 years: Board books with basic plots. Encourage pointing at pictures and naming objects.
2–3 years: Stories with more words, predictable patterns, and familiar topics (animals, daily routines).
3–5 years: Picture books with emotional themes, imagination, and problem-solving.
Tip: Let your child choose the book sometimes. It empowers them and encourages engagement.
3. Make It Interactive
Ask questions, change your voice for different characters, and point to the pictures. Even infants benefit from this engagement, and toddlers love to "help" tell the story.
Tip: Use dialogic reading and ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why is the dog sad?”
4. Keep Books Accessible
Make books part of your home environment. Set up a small bookshelf at your child’s level, keep a few in the car or diaper bag, and rotate the selection to keep things fresh.
Tip: Visit the library, including digital libraries, regularly. It builds excitement around books and exposes your child to a wider variety of stories.
5. Model Reading Behavior
Children imitate what they see. If they see you reading books, magazines, or even recipes, they’ll understand that reading is valuable and enjoyable.
Overcoming Common Challenges
“My child won’t sit still for a story!”
That’s okay! Don’t force long reading sessions. Even flipping through pages, looking at pictures, or reading one page at a time still counts. Keep it playful and pressure-free.
“We’re too busy!”
Even a few minutes a day adds up. Try audiobooks during car rides, or a quick story while waiting at the doctor’s office. Consistency is more important than length.
“They want the same book over and over!”
Repetition is how children learn. Familiar stories help build vocabulary and memory. Embrace the re-reads, your child is learning more than you know.
Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Early, and Never Too Late
Reading to your child is one of the most loving and impactful things you can do. Whether they’re three days old or three years old, there’s a benefit to reading aloud.
The simple act of sharing a book, snuggled together and immersed in a story, sows the seeds of literacy, curiosity, and emotional connection that will grow for a lifetime.
Start today, start small, and let the words work their magic.
