The single most powerful predictor of a child’s future reading success is not flashcards, phonics drills, or early academic instruction. It is a love of books. Children who enjoy being read to, who find stories exciting and comforting, and who associate books with warmth and connection become enthusiastic, motivated readers. Building that love starts in infancy and is shaped entirely by the experiences adults create around books.
Start Early and Read Often
Reading aloud can begin from birth. Newborns cannot follow a story, but they respond to the rhythm of language, the warmth of a caregiver’s voice, and the physical closeness of being held. Board books with high-contrast images, textured pages, and simple text are perfect for babies. As children grow, books with repetitive refrains, rhyming text, and engaging illustrations capture their attention and build phonological awareness.
Make It Interactive
Toddlers are not passive listeners. They want to participate. Let them hold the book, turn the pages, and point to pictures. Ask questions (“Where’s the dog? What colour is the ball?”). Pause before a familiar rhyme and let the child complete it. Make animal sounds, use funny voices, and connect the story to the child’s own experience. The more interactive and enjoyable the experience, the stronger the association between books and pleasure.
Create a Reading Environment
Make books accessible throughout the home: in baskets at child height, in the car, by the bed. Create a cosy reading nook with cushions and soft lighting. Build a routine around reading: bedtime stories, post-nap reads, or a few minutes of shared reading after arriving home from childcare. Let children see adults reading for their own pleasure, communicating that reading is something people choose to do, not just something required.
Follow the Child’s Interests
Let children choose their own books, even if it means reading the same book 47 times. Repetition is how toddlers learn. They are building vocabulary, narrative comprehension, and predictive skills with each re-reading. When a child is fascinated by trucks, find every truck book available. When they love animals, build a library of animal stories. Connecting books to genuine interests makes reading personally meaningful.
Early childhood centres that make reading a priority and document children’s literacy engagement help families see the value of shared reading. Personhood360 enables educators to capture literacy-related observations and share them with families, creating a bridge between centre and home that strengthens every child’s reading journey.