Once children can speak, parents sometimes assume that reading aloud becomes less important.
But shared reading offers much more than recognising words.
Books create conversation
While reading, children can:
Learn new words.
Talk about emotions.
Predict what happens next.
Ask questions.
Retell stories.
Notice pictures and details.
By age five, answering simple questions about a story and telling a story with multiple events are among the communication milestones many children demonstrate.
Don’t just read the words
Pause occasionally and ask:
“What do you think happens next?”
“Why does she look sad?”
“What would you do?”
You don’t need to quiz your child after every page. Keep the experience relaxed.
Read in your home language
You can read or tell stories in English, Kannada, Hindi, Marathi or any language your family uses.
Parents can also make up stories if books are not available.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ “Brush, Book, Bed” routine recommends daily shared reading as part of a healthy bedtime routine.
💚 Earlyhood Parent Tip
Don’t worry about finishing the book.
A ten-minute conversation about three pages can sometimes be more valuable than rushing through twenty.