My Book Hub
My Book Hub
Parents are told to read to their children so often that it can start to sound like a slogan. But the advice is backed by a surprising amount of research, from brain scans of preschoolers to studies that followed thousands of children into their teens. Here is what reading aloud actually does, and how little it takes.
Reading aloud builds vocabulary, listening and attention, background knowledge, a love of books and a close daily moment together. Ten to fifteen minutes a day is enough to make a real difference.
Books use a wider range of words than everyday conversation. One study estimated that children who are read five books a day hear around 1.4 million more words by kindergarten than children who are not read to, and even one book a day adds up to hundreds of thousands of words. Vocabulary in the early years is one of the strongest foundations for understanding what children later read on their own.
In a brain imaging study of 3 to 5 year olds listening to stories, children from homes with more reading showed more activity in brain areas linked to understanding meaning and forming mental pictures. Listening to stories gives young brains practice at imagining scenes they cannot see, which is exactly what reading comprehension will later demand.
A large review of studies found that children who are exposed to more books have stronger oral language, reading comprehension and spelling, and that the link grows stronger as children get older. Reading aloud is often a child's first and biggest source of book exposure.
A study that followed thousands of children in the UK found that those who read for pleasure at age 10 and in their teens made more progress in vocabulary, spelling and even math between ages 10 and 16 than those who rarely read, even after accounting for family background. Reading aloud early is one of the best ways to build that habit of reading for pleasure.
Following a story from beginning to end asks a child to listen, remember and predict. Short picture books for toddlers grow into longer stories for preschoolers and chapter books for older children, gradually stretching attention in a way children enjoy.
Stories give children safe ways to explore worry, bravery, jealousy and kindness. Asking "how do you think she feels?" helps children name emotions and see them from someone else's point of view. Our collection of books about feelings and being brave is a good place to start.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud from infancy partly because of what happens between parent and child: shared attention, physical closeness and a predictable, calm moment together. For many families, the bedtime story becomes the best part of the day.
Every book in the Little Read-Aloud Library can be read aloud with the words lighting up, for the evenings when you need a hand.
This guide is general information for parents and carers. If you are worried about your child's development, speech or reading, talk to their teacher or doctor.
Browse the full library by age, or search the store by genre. Many books are free to read with no account.