There is something truly magical about reading with a child, and reading with our youngsters from a very young age also brings profound and far-reaching benefits that can shape their lives for years to come. Long before a child can read independently, the simple act of sharing a book together tells them learning can be fun and that stories matter.  Storytime creates special shared moments, and when children begin to associate books with this cosy time, reading becomes much more than a task. Although you may not realise it at the time, these early emotional connections often mark the beginning of a lifelong relationship with books. Stories also help children make sense of the world around them. Through the characters, situations, and perspectives they encounter in stories, young readers discover new ideas, explore different emotions, and develop curiosity about the world. When books delight and inspire children in these early years, they are far more likely to seek out reading for themselves later on, thus opening the door to learning, discovery and endless possibilities. 

Believe it or not, there is a lot of science behind early reading experiences, and these moments are now thought to play a vital role in how children’s brains develop. The majority of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life, forming millions of connections that shape how they learn, think and communicate. While babies may not yet understand the words, they are absorbing the rhythm, tone and flow of speech. When we read with our children, we are helping them build these neural connections, which become stronger and even more efficient as they begin to practise reading themselves.  As a result, children who are read to regularly at home often enter school with stronger communication skills and a richer understanding of language. This lays the foundation for success across all subjects because, once a child can read confidently, the whole curriculum begins to open up. 

A recent study found that children who begin reading for pleasure at a young age tend to perform better later in life in areas such as memory, learning, and academic achievement (University of Cambridge, 2023). The study also found links to improved mental well-being, with fewer behavioural difficulties and lower levels of stress. Essentially, developing a love of reading early in childhood supports both learning and well-being. It also helps children understand and use a richer vocabulary and the more words children encounter, the easier it becomes for them to understand new ideas later on. While play is a fundamental part of childhood, don’t be misled by people who tell you that early learning is just about play. Knowledge builds knowledge, and the more background knowledge a child develops early on – for example through books and stories – the easier it becomes to attach new learning in the future. 

Anyone who has read with a young child will know how often they ask for the same story repeatedly. While this may feel repetitive for adults, this actually helps children tune in to language and gradually build understanding. The rhythm and rhyme found in many children’s books also make language easier for developing brains to process. When adults read aloud with expression, children hear the pace, tone, and emotion that bring a story to life. 

Despite these benefits, fewer children are experiencing regular shared reading at home. According to the National Literacy Trust, less than half of children aged 0–2 are read to every day. Alarmingly though, screen use by this age has increased significantly, with a recent study finding that 98% of two-year-olds viewed screens on a typical day for an average of 129 minutes even though it’s known that extensive screen use is linked to poor language development and increased emotional difficulties.  

Finding the time to read together is therefore more important than ever and the good news is that small daily habits can make a big difference. Just ten minutes of reading a day can expose children to thousands of new words each year. 

Reading aloud to our children remains just as important when children start to read independently, all the way through to secondary school (and beyond if possible). A child’s listening comprehension often develops faster than their reading ability which means children can understand richer language and more complex stories when they hear them read aloud than when they read on their own.  

The most important thing to remember when reading at home is that it should remain enjoyable rather than pressured; we need to avoid turning reading into a lesson or test and instead focus on positive experiences.  

I often talk about the importance of role-modelling because, as parents, we know that in the long term children rarely do what we tell them but they very often do what they see. So when adults read themselves, talk about books, and show enthusiasm for stories, children begin to see reading as something meaningful and worthwhile. 

At our school, we believe that helping children become confident young readers as early as possible is one of the most important things we can do, but it cannot be left to schools alone. The author Cressida Cowell claims that “Reading for pleasure is the single most important indicator of a child’s future success.” So, however busy family life can be, making time for shared reading is an investment parents just have to make. Our children get one chance at this, and the years will pass in the blink of an eye. And once a child can read, everything else begins to make sense. 

I have very fond memories of story time with my own children, and I hope they do too. Reading to my own boys was never really about learning; it was about shared moments, imagination and laughter, along with creating the kind of memories that stay with us long after the book is closed. 

Top Ten Tips for Reading at Home 

1. Start early  it’s never too early to start reading to your child 

2. Read little and often – just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference over time. 

3. Make reading part of your routine   

4. Don’t correct every mistake when children join in reading.   

5. Bring stories to life – use different voices, change your tone, and show excitement when reading.   

6. Let children see you reading. 

7. Keep books within reach – having books around the house makes it much more likely that children will pick one up 

8. Buy books as presents at every opportunity. Find second hand bargains on Amazon marketplace and charity shops. 

9. Continue reading aloud even when children can read themselves. 

10. Keep it enjoyable!