Reading together is one of the simplest things a family can do for a young child’s development. Paediatric organisations recommend starting in the first year, long before a child can understand a story.
What children gain
- More words. Books contain words that do not come up in everyday talk.
- Listening and attention. Short, regular reading builds the ability to focus for a little longer each time.
- Closeness. Sitting together with a book is calm, shared time, which helps children feel secure.
How to read with a toddler
- Follow your child. It is fine to skip pages, look at one picture for a long time or read the same book again and again. Repetition is how young children learn.
- Talk about the pictures. Ask “Where is the cat?” or “What is he eating?” and wait for an answer, whether it is a word, a sound or a point.
- Connect the book to life. “That boat is like the one we saw at the river.”
- Keep it short and happy. Five minutes with interest is better than twenty minutes of struggle.
No books at home?
Storytelling counts. Tell stories from your own childhood, describe a family photo, or make up a story about your child’s day. Rhymes, songs and folk tales in Bangla build the same listening and language skills as printed books. Library corners, school book swaps and second-hand shops are low-cost ways to add books over time.
A daily habit, even a small one, matters more than the number of books. Many families find bedtime the easiest moment to keep it going.
Sources and further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Literacy promotion policy statement (2014)
- UNICEF — Parenting: early reading and play