Turning the page of a new book and watching as your child’s eyes wander over the mystery of words, or as their little fingers point to the colorful illustrations, is a special moment of connection. Time can seem like it’s slowing down as you both dive into the adventures of story time. These reading moments are more than just warm and fuzzy. They're important steps for your child's future.
From the first page you share together, you're making special memories and helping your child start a lifelong love of learning. Hearing your voice as you read introduces them to the fluctuating sounds and rhythm of language. Being introduced to this early can help babies recognize patterns between what you say and the jumble of letters in front of them.
As they connect your voice with something fun, new, and exciting, it can also help strengthen your bond and begin to spark their curiosity. If your schedule allows, reading one book a day to your child can boost language skills and help them learn new words. It can become a comforting routine that may help your child develop positive feelings about books and reading.
Making reading a regular part of your routine doesn’t have to be a daunting addition to your list of responsibilities. It can be simple and rewarding. Try setting aside a specific time each day for reading, like after dinner, after brushing their teeth, or before bedtime. Also, having a set place to read together, like a favorite chair or spot on the couch, can help keep your routine consistent.
If you want to turn it up a notch, creating a cozy reading nook can help make reading more inviting and enjoyable for children. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy and can quickly become a new favorite spot at home:
Choose a quiet corner with good lighting or a nearby lamp.
Have a small bookshelf, cubby, bin, or crate with different books.
Personalize the space with favorite plushies or stuffed animals, blankets, or pillows.
No matter their age, you can help your child build their confidence by letting them lead story time. Babies might hit the pages, and toddlers might interrupt or skip pages. But that’s okay. Story time doesn’t have to look a certain way, especially when they’re little. When children are younger, combining their active imaginations and the connection of story time is what matters most.
As your child gets older, encouraging them to pick out books can be a great way to learn what they’re interested in and create excitement around reading. Talk about the story as you go and ask open-ended questions. Asking about their favorite characters or parts of the story can be a conversation starter during everyday moments.
Outside of story time, reading can be incorporated into everyday moments, like:
At the grocery store: Food labels, aisle lists, store signage
In the car: Street signs, store names, billboards
At home: Recipes, mail, TV subtitles
During playtime: Board games, game instructions sheet, scavenger hunts with written clues
These moments can help children see reading as a natural part of life and continue to encourage a love for learning.
Gaining a love for reading early on is also important for your little one’s brain development. Story time can transform from hearing to listening for words they’ve learned or grown familiar with. With every story—or repetition of the same story—children can learn new words, begin to connect the meaning behind words, and start to think about things in different ways.
By exploring different characters and situations through books, it can lead them to understand different feelings and learn how to care for others—an important step for making friends and learning how to get along with others. It can also encourage them to ask questions and put together the puzzle pieces behind the answers they hear. This can be key to strengthening their problem-solving skills.
Altogether, setting a moment aside every day for story time can help support your child’s development and set them up for success in both school and life.
