The Ultimate Guide to Reading to Kids: Expert Tips for Every Age!
Reading to children isn’t just a sweet bedtime ritual—it’s a proven way to boost language skills, enhance imagination, and build emotional bonds. According to the experts, the way you read is just as important as the act of reading itself. In fact, research shows that interactive, engaging reading techniques can significantly improve language development and early literacy. Below, you’ll find our top expert-approved tips for making story time fun and educational, followed by age-specific advice to tailor your reading approach.
Disclaimer: I want to be clear that there is no WRONG way to read to your children. Any time you pick up a book and read to them, you are contributing to their language and literacy growth. These are just some tips to enhance the experience and guide you if you are feeling unsure of how to read to them!
After you read the best ways to read to your children, be sure to check out the Little Moose Ultimate Book Guide for my top favorite books for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and Kindergarten age children!
Why Reading to Children is So Important
Research has proven that reading to children, starting from birth, has a dramatic effect on language development, emotional skills, and future academic success. In a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who were read to regularly from infancy showed a 40% increase in receptive language skills compared to their non-read counterparts. Similarly, a 2019 study by Ohio State University found that children who are read five books a day before kindergarten will have heard 1.4 million more words than those who aren't.
A 2016 study by the National Institute for Literacy revealed that children who were read to frequently before entering school were 80% more likely to have above-average literacy skills by the third grade. These are staggering numbers, and they tell us something vital: reading to kids works. But how you read matters too! Below, we explore tips and best practices for reading to children of different ages.
5 Tips to Make Reading a DREAM
Regardless of your child’s age, here are five essential strategies to make story time a memorable and educational experience:
D - Don’t Read Every Word on the Page
I always get a few surprised looks when I say this in my parent/teacher trainings… don’t read every word on the page! Reading every single word is not necessary! It’s okay to summarize, skip over lengthy sections, or even make up your own words if that keeps your child interested. The goal is to tell a story, not read a script, so feel free to adapt the text as needed. Many children’s books have a LOT of words per page and make it difficult for little minds to stay focused for the entirety of the story.R - Read Face to Face
Whether you’re reading to a baby or a school-aged child, having them face you is key. Babies watch your lips move, toddlers mimic your facial expressions, and older children can see the enthusiasm in your eyes. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in engagement! For younger babies unable to sit across from you on their own, try to engage a second caregiver during story time. Dad reads the book in front of baby while you hold her. This also allows you to model responses to reading and add in back and forth interaction for your baby to learn from.E - Explore with Pretend Play
Act out parts of the book or mimic the characters’ actions to make the story come alive. This strategy is especially helpful for younger children, who learn through movement and imitation. According to a study from Harvard University, pretend play during story time can boost a child’s narrative skills and comprehension by up to 30%.A - Add in Sound Effects & Fun Noises
Bring the story to life by adding silly voices, sound effects, or singing bits of the text. Research suggests that when adults use varied tones and silly sounds, children’s attention levels soar. Plus, it’s fun! This is particularly helpful for babies just starting out exploring their voice and saying noises like animal sounds and environmental noises.M - Make Comments, Don’t Quiz
One thing I see over and over from almost every adult reading to a child (and I’m guilty of this sometimes too!!) is asking too many questions. It’s fun to see how smart our kiddos are and asking them questions like “what’s this?” or “what is he doing?” throughout a story can seem harmless, but it really isn’t leading to language growth in the way you might think. When you ask questions like, “What’s this?” while reading, you will get one or two word answers (“A spaceship”), but if you make a comment like “whoa! I see a BIG spaceship over there!” then pause… you might hear your preschooler add “I see a HUGE alien over here!”... a 7 word phrase! In addition, asking too many questions can make reading feel more like a chore or a hard task. Making descriptive comments and giving some wait time to allow your child to add another comment takes the pressure off and can lead to a more relaxing storytime.
How to Read to Babies (0-12 Months)
Reading to babies is about building early language skills, bonding, and having fun. While they might not fully grasp the story, they’re taking in every sound, expression, and rhythm.
Keep it Short & Sweet
Babies have short attention spans. Aim for a couple of minutes at a time and follow their cues—if they’re starting to fuss, don’t push it. Short and positive interactions are better than drawn-out ones.Choose High-Contrast Books
Babies love bold colors and sharp contrasts. Choose books with simple images in black and white or bright primary colors to keep their attention focused.Focus on Rhythm and Melody
Babies love the rhythm of language, so emphasize sing-song tones and repetitive phrases. Rhyming books and stories with a predictable cadence will hold their attention.Start YOUNG, It May Even Improve Sleep…!?
As a mom, I’m desperate for good sleep! A big help in our household when my oldest was a baby was having a consistent bedtime routine. We added a few books to Graham’s bedtime routine from the time he was a newborn. Not only did it help him know bedtime was coming, I really think it laid the foundation for him being able to focus and attend to stories as he got older. He knew that bedtime was a set time for us to read together and he looks forward to that special time every night.
Brittany’s all time favorite book for babies: “That’s Not My Bunny!” a PaperPie book that is touch and feel, full of repetitive and predictable text.
How to Read to Toddlers (12-24 Months)
Toddlers are curious, chatty, and love to move! They’re learning new words every day, so reading with them is all about interaction.
Let Them Turn the Pages
Toddlers love to be in control. Give them a chance to turn the pages themselves, even if it means skipping ahead or taking a few extra seconds. This gives them a sense of ownership over story time.Point and Label
Point out pictures in the book and label them: “Look, a blue car!” or “Here’s a big, fluffy cat.” This builds vocabulary and helps them associate words with images.Repetition and Routine
This is the age you will see their language grow exponentially! A great way to help teach new words is with repetitive books that you read night after night. This predictable routine and practice reading the same words over and over is not only helpful for learning new words but adds in comfortability for your young toddler to know what to expect.Let Them Roam
I don’t have to tell you that asking a toddler to sit still is a bit unrealistic! Focus less on having your little one sitting and engaging in the book and let them run around! Choose books that ask them to follow directions like “Don’t Push the Button!” or “Stomp!”
Brittany’s all time favorite book for toddlers: “Don’t Push the Button!” by Bill Cotter.
How to Read to Preschoolers (3-5 Years)
Preschoolers are full of imagination and love to ask “Why?” They’re ready for more complex narratives and can handle longer stories.
Encourage Predictions
Pause occasionally and say, “I wonder what will happen next…” This helps develop their comprehension and problem-solving skills, and gets them thinking critically about the story.The sillier the better!
Preschoolers love to explore humor and learning to read should be FUN! Look for books that have silly words or ask them to act out funny moves. Interactive books are incredibly engaging and lead to so much spontaneous language!
A favorite of mine in this style is “I say OOH, You say AAH” by John Kane through PaperPie books!
Discuss Emotions
Take time to talk about the emotions in the story: “I wonder how he felt when his bike broke” or “Oh he looks so sad. He’s frowning because he is sad”. This builds empathy and emotional intelligence while strengthening comprehension.Ever Read a Pretend Book?!
My preschooler’s favorite book to read is an invisible book… yep! He will run to his bookshelf and pretend to get a book, “hand it to me” and say “read this book about pirates!” It involves some on the spot creativity to come up with a plot about pirates, but he doesn’t care if the story isn’t Pullitzer prize winning. All he cares about is having fun! My husband’s favorite pretend books are the ones where he tells the story of how Mommy and Daddy met, The Story of Graham, etc.
Brittany’s favorites for this age: “Grumpy Monkey” by Suzanne Lang and “Dinosaur Dance” By Sandra Boynton.
How to Read to Kindergarteners
School-aged kids can handle more intricate plots, deeper themes, and have opinions about what they read. They’re also starting to become independent readers, so foster that excitement!
Start Introducing Lengthier Stories
At this age, children are starting to attend longer to books. Soon they’ll be tackling chapter books, but for now a great introduction to these longer stories are the “5 Minute Stories” and Storybook Collections. Many of their favorite television or movie characters are often featured in these stories which is a great way to tie in non-screentime but still celebrate their favorites!Dive Into Phonological Awareness
I often notice when teaching children to read, parents will jump to letter recognition or sight words. And those skills have a role in learning to read for sure! However, literacy experts agree that teaching phonological awareness skills is a more effective strategy. A research study found that children with strong phonological awareness skills became better readers compared to those who only practiced letter recognition (Stahl & Murray).
So, what is phonological awareness? Phonological awareness is the ability to hear and play with the sounds in words, like recognizing rhymes, clapping out syllables, or breaking words into individual sounds. It helps kids understand that words are made up of smaller sound parts, which is a key skill for learning to read.
Point out Story Details
This is a great age for learning about the format of a book. Talk through the Title of the Book, discuss what an Author is, show the cover of the book and the back of the book. Titles are in big fonts so it’s a great time to work on letter recognition. My preschooler loves finding “his letter” so we search the Title page for a “G”.
A favorite series of mine for this age is Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton!
How to Pick the Right Books for Kids
Finding the perfect book can make all the difference in turning a child into a lifelong reader. As I said before, there’s never a wrong way to read and there’s never a wrong book to read. But if you’re looking to expand your home library, here are some tips for choosing engaging and age-appropriate books:
Books with Repetitive Phrases or Words
Repetition helps children predict language patterns, building their confidence and encouraging them to join in. Books like Dear Zoo and Where’s Spot? are excellent for young children because they can anticipate what’s coming next.Books with Fewer (or No!) Words
Don’t shy away from wordless picture books! They offer rich storytelling opportunities and encourage kids to create their own narratives. A study from the International Reading Association found that children who engaged with wordless books developed stronger narrative skills than those who only read text-based books. A HUGE favorite in our household is “Goodnight Gorilla”.Books with Interactive Pages
Kids love to explore. Books with flaps, textures, or pop-ups—like I say OOH you say AAH or Don’t Push the Button—invite children to become a part of the story. These tactile elements not only captivate attention but also improve fine motor skills.Books with Captivating Images
Picture books are often a child’s first visual experience with storytelling. Choose books with engaging, colorful illustrations that complement the text. Visual storytelling is powerful—research from Boston Children’s Hospital has shown that children who read books with vivid images are more likely to understand and recall the story.
Building Empathy and Inclusion
Another important detail that factors into the books I choose at home and in Speech Therapy is diversity. Reading diverse books to children is essential because it helps them understand and appreciate a variety of cultures, abilities, perspectives, and experiences. This exposure fosters empathy, teaching children to see the world from different viewpoints and respect those who may look, think, or live differently from them. Diverse stories also give children a sense of belonging by allowing them to see characters who reflect their own backgrounds, making them feel represented and valued. Furthermore, such books help challenge stereotypes and build an open-minded outlook from an early age, laying a foundation for inclusion and social harmony as they grow. In addition to finding books that feature diversity, I also strive to choose books authored or illustrated by creators from diverse backgrounds.
A few places I like to shop for diverse books include EyeSeeMe, a bookstore in St Louis Missouri that ships nationwide. I also really enjoy We Need Diverse Books, a non-profit that compiles amazing lists of diverse books for a variety of cultures. They offer great Book Boxes as well!
Check out the Ultimate Book Guide for a section on Diverse Books!
Not Every Reader is Created Equally
I want to point out that every child is unique, and each journey to independent reading is different. As a speech therapist, I know the challenges that not one strategy fits all and I love finding unique ways to meet unique learning needs. If your little one needs more than traditional books like the ones listed above, here are some additional tips to accommodate your storytime to meet their needs and still promote literacy:
Audiobooks: A resource I love is Epic! Books which is full of audiobooks and interactive books read aloud for little ones who learn better through listening.
Podcasts: On the same note as audiobooks, podcasts are a great way to learn literacy too! We also love Disney Storytime or Little Stories for Little People on Spotify. These are also great for long roadtrips!
Multisensory Methods: Some children learn best by moving more. Interactive books like Fingertrail ABC are a great tool for using movement to learn. For younger wiggle worms, felt boards with interactive story pieces are a great way to maintain attention with an integrated sensory approach.
The Takeaway: Reading is a Joyful Journey, Not a Destination
Whether you’re making silly sounds for a baby, exploring illustrations with a toddler, discussing a preschooler’s thoughts on the story, or encouraging a school-aged child to choose their own books, the goal remains the same: to make reading an enjoyable experience. The research is clear—kids who are read to regularly perform better academically, develop stronger language skills, and are more likely to become lifelong readers. So grab a book, get cozy, and have fun with story time!
As a special treat for those who read this blog, I have created book lists for every age and stage! Click the link here to find which list is best for you!
The Little Moose Ultimate Gift Guide - This guide links to Amazon through an affiliate link. I may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases made using this link.
Another place I love to get books from is PaperPie! I am not a rep and do not receive commission or payment for my referral to these books, but I may earn free books if purchasing books through this link. This link will take you to my Favorites page where I list all of my favorite PaperPie books! This site publishes our favorite series like the “That’s Not My…” and Nibbles!
