We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Last Updated on July 18, 2024 by Samantha Flores
I was five months pregnant with my son; my pregnant belly starting to pop through. It was a stormy and rainy evening. I snuggled up in a blanket next to the long window, found a childhood favorite book of mine, and began reading to my unborn child.
In that moment, I imagined how many evenings I would have like this with my son as he grew older and developed a love for reading. Reading is one of the simplest and best activities you can do with your child at any age.
And you know what? Reading with my son (present time) has been one of the easiest things to engage in with him! Not to mention we have made some pretty adorable memories together sitting in the rocking chair reading book after book.
Reading with your child is fun, but it is also important to do! You are your child’s first teacher. Therefore, sharing a passion for reading with your child will only peak their interest in books and set the way for a successful educational future. Before children even reach kindergarten, they need a foundation of language and reading. The importance of reading to your child starts with you!
When Should I Begin Reading to My Child?
It’s never too early to start reading to your child! Honestly, you can start the day you come home from the hospital with that sweet baby in your arms. At this stage of life, your baby is comforted by your voice. Therefore, reading to them gives them a chance to hear your voice while listening to sentence structures and voice intonation.
As your baby grows older, reading to them each day is a benefit. They begin to understand the left to right reading method and can soon start implementing that as they attempt to turn the pages for you.
Closer to the toddler stage, your child may even attempt to start “reading” the book to you through their baby babbling. All of this learning they are doing with a simple book yields a love for reading and learning later on.
Like I said before, I started reading to my son when I was pregnant with him. Probably a little extreme, but this gave me even more bonding time with him while my husband was at work. This was a way for me to carve out some time when it was just the two of us and he could hear my voice without any other noises around me.
How Can I Read to My Child?
Incorporating daily reading time with your child is not a difficult thing to do. You can make this something you do in a daily routine such as at nap time or bedtime. You can also make it a spontaneous activity and pick up a book during random times of the day.
If my toddler could, we would read books all day every day! His love for reading just tickles me and I only hope that he continues to have a fond connection with literature as he grows up.
You can also try changing up the scenery where you read to your child. Lay a blanket on the grass outside and snuggle up for a read! This enhances your child’s senses even more. If you are reading about the trees or grass, you can incorporate seeing the trees in the yard or feeling the grass beneath them. The outside world is filled with tremendous learning opportunities.
During my days as a daycare teacher, much of my classroom’s daily activities were structured around a book. I would read a few silly and fun books to the children in my care while also incorporating a book or two that was relevant to the lesson theme of the week. Then, I expanded on this book by providing learning opportunities in the classroom that the children could use to expand on what they had just learned.
What Types of Books Should I Read to My Child?
The types of books you read won’t necessarily matter when reading to an infant. They like seeing the colors of the book, watching you turn the pages, and hearing your voice.
For a toddler, however, I would suggest grabbing books that are eye-catching. Think bright, short, and engaging books! Cardboard type books are usually the best kind of books to have in the presence of a toddler because the pages don’t tear easily. We all know how a toddler can destroy things in 2.5 seconds!
Some fun books that my toddler loves to read include books that are engaging. These books have pop-up art or little flaps on each page for him to flip through. He loves being engaged with the story and showing me what he has discovered through his reading!
Where Can I Find Books to Read to My Child?
Try heading to your local library and seeing what they have in their children’s section. In my experience, libraries have books for different developmental stages that you can read there or checkout. This is also a budget friendly way to save on books! Library books are special too because you get something new each time you go. This makes it exciting to read a different book constantly.
Check out Amazon’s assortment of books as well! They have books you can filter out by age. They typically have a deal of some sort going on also to help you get the most books for the best price. Plus, they deliver right to your door.
When I was pregnant with my son, I was obsessed with getting his nursery put together (not sure why since he didn’t sleep in there until after his first birthday). Anyways… I really wanted his room to incorporate reading and learning. So, I headed down to the local Goodwill and found dozens of books to buy for around a dollar or two a piece. This was great for a start!
There is also this new trend going on that I’ve noticed where people bring a book instead of a card to a baby shower! This is a great way to build up your child’s library with special books from people who came to shower them with gifts. You can go as far as having people write special notes inside the books as well.
Reading is Important!
We all know that children are like sponges. They absorb and learn so much in a little amount of time. The facts surrounding the importance of reading to your child have been proven to boost their language development. This is a precursor for getting your child ready to enter kindergarten.
Seize those moments to connect with your child as well as expand on their language through reading! These moments come and go quicker than we think; don’t let these opportunities pass you by.
Looking for more reasons to read to your child? Check out this working mom’s post about 10 Reasons to Read to Your Child!
How Do You Implement Reading with Your Child?
Each family is different and requires a variety of strategies. What strategies does your family use to incorporate reading with children? How old were your children when you started reading to them? Help other families by giving them more information and strategies in the comments below to implement in their homes!
Always,
Samantha <3
Click the Pictures for More Resources
Pin It!
Ken Renner
April 14, 2020 at 8:48 pmReading to your children when they are young is a fantastic way to build that one on one relationship. I started writing stories for my children when they were young, and I kept writing them even after they grew up. I am now taking the stories off the shelf and getting them ready to put on Amazon. Two of the most recent books that are finished, which are part of a series that I collaborated on with my mother, are illustrated books. I would have loved to have completed these when my kids were young, Irving Wants To Fly and Irving Rides A Train. Life might get busy, but it’s so important to always make time for children!
Play With Me, Mommy: What Your Child is Really Saying -
October 23, 2019 at 2:07 pm[…] their lead and they will show you what interests them. Simple activities like going to the park, reading books, and finger painting with your toddler can make for a truly special moment between both of […]
Playdate Ideas for Toddlers: Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas Fun! -
October 15, 2019 at 1:59 pm[…] playdate my son often enjoys doing is meeting up with friends at the library. He LOVES reading books. Additionally, the library has a special early childhood reading program every Thursday for his age […]
Encourage Independence in Toddlers with These 7 Easy Tips -
September 28, 2019 at 9:37 pm[…] Reading to Your Child: The Importance and Benefits […]
Best Spooky Halloween Books for Middle School Kids -
September 18, 2019 at 8:11 pm[…] Instilling the love of reading in children is fun to do when they are little. They are fascinated with the pictures, colors, and the expression in your voice when you read to them. […]
Mom Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Moms with Toddlers -
July 24, 2019 at 11:23 pm[…] mom hack that I use to get extra sleep is putting my toddler’s books within reach of his […]
Productivity Tips for Moms: Time Management Techniques with a Toddler -
July 19, 2019 at 2:35 pm[…] have experimented with many activities with my son to gauge which activities truly interest him. Books are his number one source of entertainment. A close second is any activity that involves being outside. He LOVES to be outside playing. […]
Sick Day Activities for Toddlers: 7 Ways to Entertain -
July 11, 2019 at 4:27 am[…] probably haven’t said this enough in my other posts (sarcasm intended), but reading is a great activity! Sick day activities that include reading help to expand on your toddler’s language […]
Letter Recognition: Language Building Activities for Toddlers -
July 3, 2019 at 5:36 pm[…] half phone call was that we are both just trying our best at this motherhood thing. We talked about ways we could help our children succeed and meet those developmental milestones, especially with language […]
The Four Gift Christmas Tradition: Christmas with a Toddler -
June 22, 2019 at 9:45 pm[…] My son loves reading! He isn’t without having a library in our home. Therefore, I think he will enjoy most any book he gets for Christmas as long as it catches his attention. […]
far
June 16, 2019 at 7:57 amlovely to read i think its very informative for mommy and daddy ..
https://qimonkeyz.blogspot.com/
Sarah Meh
June 11, 2019 at 4:10 pmThere is so much importance of reading that we can’t ignore. My son reads story books daily -smeh
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:55 pmExactly! I hope my son continues to choose daily reading time as he gets older. Thanks for reading!
Sanjota Purohit
June 10, 2019 at 9:23 pmReading should begin from the time babies start listening from the womb. It really helps and has a great effect on babies development.
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:54 pmThat’s exactly why I chose to start reading to my son while I was pregnant with him! I may have seemed crazy to others, but it was a way for him to learn my voice and to start creating that habit of daily reading to him. Thanks for reading!
TheKitchenDoc
June 10, 2019 at 6:45 pmWe have always read to our kids ever since they were babies
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:53 pmIt’s so important! Thanks for reading.
colossalumbrella
June 10, 2019 at 6:05 pmreading to your child is very important. I read to my child everyday
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:52 pmGood to hear! Thanks for your thoughts!
Hailey Almsted
June 10, 2019 at 3:15 pmSuch a great way to bond with your child, as well as great for your child’s memory. Thanks for sharing!
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:51 pmI appreciate you reading, Hailey!
Ukiyoto
June 10, 2019 at 2:51 pmLove reading your posts more so the comments underneath.. Is really a good freshener after a hard day.. 🙂
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:50 pmThanks for reading!
Blake
June 10, 2019 at 12:09 pmI miss reading to my daughter… she is basically a teenager now and some of the routines we had when she was younger are no longer “cool”
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:50 pmAw, Blake! I am not looking forward to that time with my son. Luckily, I have a few more years. I know it will be something I miss doing with him as well in the future.
blair villanueva
June 10, 2019 at 8:25 amThis gesture of bond is very important. It could help for the kid’s memory and also the love for reading, and books!
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:49 pmExactly! Thanks for reading, Blair!
Tech jay
June 10, 2019 at 6:51 amI am really impressed by this article, I believe with the information I gathered from this post, I will be able to get the best I deserve from my kids when they grow
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:48 pmSo glad you found such inspiration through my post, Tech Jay! Thank you for reading.
honeybunnytwee
June 10, 2019 at 6:41 amMy parents didn’t read to my siblings and I as a kid, but I wish they did. Reading is so fundamental
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:47 pmIt truly is! Thanks for reading!
Alexa Pilo
June 10, 2019 at 3:25 amI find this post interesting, the recommendations of books and resources are also great that supports activities that stimulate children’s learning.
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:46 pmThanks so much, Alexa!
You, Me and Benny
June 10, 2019 at 1:09 amMy mom read to me and I have loved to read ever since!
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:45 pmYes! I have noticed through your posts that you almost have a Disney Princess level library in your own home! Hopefully my son enjoys reading just as much in his future. 🙂
You, Me and Benny
June 11, 2019 at 8:56 pmhahaha – I hope he does too!
jessmaca
June 9, 2019 at 1:18 pmI prefer reading to TV and electronics, we started our kiddos early with books and now they are the same way.
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:42 pmThanks so much for your insight! I am hopeful that my son continues his love of reading in his future.
Pool Operator Talk
June 9, 2019 at 2:27 amwhat a great way to spend quality time together when so many are plopped down in front of TVs and tablets. a reminder to stimulate the imagination vs. the cable network. well done!
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:41 pmThanks so much for your encouragement! I really agree that reading has created a deeper bond between us. TV can be too easy to turn on and become a mundane activity. But reading takes bonding and relaxation to a whole new level!
SiennyLovesDrawing
June 9, 2019 at 1:27 amenjoyed my read & learnt a lot of reading to kids ideas from this sharing. Gonna using some tips for my little niece. Thanks for sharing this! cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:39 pmThanks for reading, Sienny!
Neil Alvin Nicerio
June 8, 2019 at 5:14 amI usually read storybooks to my daughter every night.
Elizabeth O
June 8, 2019 at 12:57 pmI love reading stories to my kids even when they were still babies. It’s one of my favorite activities with them. Now that they are older, they made it a habit to read.
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:39 pmSo good to hear that, Elizabeth! I am hopeful that my son will continue to choose books and story time and make it a habit to read more often. Thanks for reading!
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:38 pmSame here, Neil! I have incorporated story time in his night time routine and usually read about three books before saying good night. It’s a great strategy!
Sophie
June 8, 2019 at 4:41 amWhile this new generation is all about gadgets, old school methods like this works a lot better in bonding with kids.
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:36 pmI agree! Kids using their imagination first sparks so much more creativity. Hopefully my son continues to choose books and his toys over the screen stuff in his future.
saygoodbyecitylife
June 8, 2019 at 2:03 amI appreciate your article. It is so important to spend time with children reading. So many children spend time with technology and video. I am a firm believer in reading to children and helping them develop. Thank you for sharing.
mavis143
June 8, 2019 at 2:31 pmI don’t have kids, but want them in the future. Definitely appreciate your article to help me research the important of reading to your kids. Love this!
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:33 pmThanks for your kind words, SAYGOODBYECITYLIFE! I am trying to gear my son towards using his imagination with books and toys instead of technology and screen time. There will come a day when he is interested in screen time, however, I hope he chooses the imagination part first.
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:35 pmThanks, Mavis! I hope these ideas come in handy for you in your future!
beautybeyondphysique
June 7, 2019 at 10:34 pmIts never too early yo start teaching them and reading to them. great post
Samantha Flores
June 11, 2019 at 8:30 pmThanks so much! They truly start learning as soon as they are born into this world.