Reading and storytelling helps young brains to grow

Making time for a story each day can help your child’s early brain development, which will then help them succeed during their school years.  

Storytime does not always have to involve reading a book. Storytime can also be made up of looking at pictures, listening to a story, singing songs or telling your child stories from your culture.  

Whatever activity you choose to do together during storytime is very beneficial for both children and parents and carers. The special time you spend together is great bonding time and helps to build a positive relationship with your child.  

Babies (under 12 months) 

Reading and storytelling with babies can begin from birth. Hearing us read slowly and making changes in our voice tone helps babies learn about sounds, words, and language. Pointing out words and pictures while reading is another way to introduce words and language to your baby. 

For more information about why reading to babies is important, visit The Australian Parenting Website at: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/literacy-reading-stories/reading-from-birth  

Toddlers 

Reading and storytelling with toddlers helps them learn new sounds, words, and language. It also helps them further develop their imagination and social skills. Reading can also help toddlers learn about the world.  

Toddlers often like books that show animals or that talk about playtime. Pop-up books and lift-the-flap books are also a great way to keep toddlers interested in the book. Reading with toddlers can be very interactive, as you can point out pictures and words and ask them to repeat them, or you may even ask them to tell you what they see in the pictures.  

For more information about why reading to toddlers is important, visit The Australian Parenting Website at: https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/play-learning/literacy-reading-stories/reading-with-toddlers  

Pre-schoolers  

Reading and storytelling with pre-school children helps them to further develop their language, speaking and social skills. Books help them learn more about the world and build their imagination skills, which is important for their later learning.  

Reading with pe-schoolers can be very interactive as you can encourage them to turn the pages, trace words with their fingers, and talk about what you learnt about from the book once you have finished reading. Pre-school children are often interested in books with funny stories and characters and books that include counting and the alphabet.  

For more information about why reading to pre-schoolers is important, visit The Australian Parenting Website at: https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/play-learning/literacy-reading-stories/reading-with-preschoolers 

Storytime in your native language 

If you feel most comfortable reading, singing and telling stories in a language other than English, that is okay. When you are comfortable, you can communicate more easily, and it will help make storytime more enjoyable for your child. Your child will still learn very valuable skills during storytime. All these skills will help them to learn English at kindergarten or school.  

For more information about reading to your child, in English or in your native language, visit: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/literacy-reading-stories/reading-storytelling