Reading - 06/02/26

Reading to the children, my absolute FAVOURITE thing to do multiple times during the day.

Nothing beats sitting down, getting all cosy in the cooler months, or sitting outside in the sunshine with the trees moving in the wind above you and having that fresh air move around you – and reading to a child.

The child will adore this time. Trust me. So will you!

The satisfaction from reading to a child is a feeling that is unmatched. That time really is so precious. Please enjoy the little moments such as reading a story whilst you can. You will blink and your child will be off into their bedroom reading Harry Potter, or like when I was younger, Jacqualine Wilson, on their own!

It is NEVER too early to start a reading journey with your child. Reading to your child daily can have so many benefits. Let’s start with a few:

-Imagination: Of course, reading is the perfect way to develop and evolve a child’s imagination; anyone’s imagination actually, adult or child. When a child is listening to a story read by an adult they look up too (disclaimer: children look up to ALL adults who are familiar to them!) they are creating the story you are reading in their own way. As the words leave you and flood into the child’s brain, all the brain cell connections are working hard to tune in and listen.

-Language: This is a big one, developing children’s language.

As you read to a child, the child is absorbing your words and taking them all in. A lot of adults seem to believe that when a child is below the age of 3, it is pointless reading to them as their understanding of the story flow isn’t present – this could not be any more untrue. Even if you are reading to a tiny baby who does not understand the concept of a story, they are still taking in everything that is being said to them.

Speaking in a calm, happy, and non-monotone way will help the story time become a lot more engaging for the child. Just because a child may not understand the story does not mean they are not enjoying the experience with you. The child will really be acknowledging the different tones of your voice, the different pitches of your voice you may use, for example, when talking as different ‘characters’, the speed in which you read at – all of this will keep your child engaged and they will take it all in, which will really help develop their speech and language the more often you read to them. A small child/baby will not care in the SLIGHTEST about what they’re being read, you could be reading a letter you’ve received in the post, a work email, ANYTHING! – they will just love hearing your voice. I would always say reading at least once a day to a child will really encourage that speech and language come as they continue to grow.

-Memory: Reading to children can really help spark memories. It will trigger cells in the brain that help work to hold core memories. You may notice if you have any older children, that as they grow, they are able to remember previous stories you have read to them. This is because as children grow (if you read to them from birth, no matter how ‘silly’ you may feel) all those brain cells that have been exposed and opened will be continuously building and strengthening.

We always have time for reading at Nursery, which all the children love. Having said this, we always still encourage you to take some time at home to read to your child. Not only is it helping your child developmentally, it is also the perfect bonding time to enjoy with your child.  

I hope you thought this was useful! – A lot of information I have learnt about Children’s development stems from when I worked at Baby Sensory Guernsey and took part in all of my training (which I would really recommend any parent who has recently had the joy of a new little addition!), and also I have learnt lots from some time ago when I gained my Level 3 qualification; in which I learnt all about the different childcare theorists and what they believed in.

Thank you for reading x