From the earliest days of life, children are wired to learn. One of the most powerful, and enjoyable, ways to support their development is through reading. Whether it’s a picture book before bed, a quiet story in your arms, or a favourite tale revisited for the tenth time, reading aloud nurtures more than a love of books. It helps build the skills your child will use for life.
At Kids Academy Early Learning, we believe the foundations for future academic success and emotional wellbeing are laid in the early years. Reading with your child from birth to age five develops essential language, literacy, memory, and cognitive skills, while also strengthening your bond.
Babies (0–1 Years): Foundations Start Early
Even before your baby can speak, reading together supports early brain development. Your voice, facial expressions, and the rhythm of language all play a role in helping them:
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Develop vocabulary and sound awareness
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Build attention and memory pathways
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Feel safe and connected through bonding
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Form positive associations with books and stories
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (2014) confirms that shared reading from infancy enhances language and cognitive outcomes, setting the stage for lifelong learning.
Toddlers (1–3 Years): Building Language and Comprehension
Toddlers are naturally inquisitive. Books help focus that curiosity and support development across multiple domains. Reading daily helps toddlers:
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Expand their vocabulary and sentence structure
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Explore emotions and relationships through stories
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Strengthen memory and sequencing skills
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Develop routine and regulation through repetition and rhythm
At Kids Academy, our educators embed storytime into daily learning environments, helping toddlers engage with language in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
Preschool and Kindergarten (3–5 Years): Preparing for School Success
In the years leading up to school, children begin to understand how language works and apply it to real-world thinking. Reading supports:
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Early literacy skills, including phonics, comprehension, and storytelling
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Empathy, as children relate to characters and scenarios
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Critical thinking, through prediction, reasoning, and discussion
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Cognitive readiness, including memory, focus, and attention
According to the OECD (2019), children who are read to regularly perform better in reading and numeracy later in school. At Kids Academy, our School Readiness Program equips children aged 3–5 with the skills, confidence, and independence they need to transition successfully to primary school.
Try This at Home: Ask your child to retell the story in their own words. This helps build comprehension and expressive language skills, both of which support early writing.
A Daily Habit That Makes a Lasting Impact
Storytime is more than a calming end to the day - it’s a valuable learning opportunity. Just five to ten minutes a day supports:
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Language and literacy growth
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Emotional regulation
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Parent-child connection
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School readiness and academic outcomes
At Kids Academy, we promote early literacy across all age groups through purposeful reading, conversation, and play. Our Lifelong Learning Curriculum includes rich language environments, phonics-based learning, and storytelling practices that inspire children to become confident communicators.
Summary: Why Reading Aloud Matters
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Builds vocabulary, memory, and language structure
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Supports early reading and writing development
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Strengthens attention, comprehension, and reasoning
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Promotes empathy and imagination
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Fosters emotional security and parent-child bonding
Need ideas for what to read next?
Speak to your Centre’s Educator team for age-specific book recommendations and practical ideas for making storytime part of your family routine.