Reading together
Reading together helps children enjoy books from a young age. When you read with your child, they learn new words and ideas, understand stories, and begin to discover how books and print work.
The resources below share simple ways to enjoy reading with your child and build language, understanding and a love of books through everyday moments, from birth to preschool-age.
Watch real-life examples
Reading
In this example of reading, Mum and Marlow are sitting close and reading a book together. Rather than reading all the words, Mum talks about the pictures and follows Marlow’s interests.
Reading with your child
In this example, Mum and Holly are sitting close and reading a book together. Mum gets Holly involved by letting her turn the pages and talking about things of interest to her.
Words are everywhere
In this example, Mum and Nian are baking a cake together. When they use a measuring jug to measure the ingredients, Nian learns that words and symbols have meaning.
Tips and resources
Reading with babies from birth
Reading and storytelling help babies learn about speech sounds, words and language.
Reading and storytelling: babies and children
Learn how reading and storytelling promotes brain development, imagination, language and learning.
Reading with preschoolers
Understand how reading together helps preschoolers learn, and get some ideas for books your preschooler might like.
Reading with toddlers: 12–18 months
Practical, engaging ideas for sharing books and stories with toddlers.
Reading with toddlers: 18 months – 3 years
Tips for reading, storytelling and sharing books with toddlers aged 18 months – 3 years.