The Ultimate Guide to Building Healthy Reading Habits for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Reading has been encouraged since time immemorial. It is one habit that encourages creative thinking and smarter. When you inculcate the habit of learning early in your child, it makes them curious and want to learn more. But getting little ones to love books can be slightly challenging. Here we will talk about a few tips you can use to get your child to become a reader.

Easy Ways to Build Reading Habits in Your Child

Start Reading to Them Early

Bedtime stories from an early age are how most parents start introducing reading to their children. It is a way for them to bond with you and associate bedtime with stories when you start reading aloud to them. Your baby will learn simple sounds and more words this way. All you have to do is pick a simple and colourful book and start reading them in a fun way. Colourful books will catch their attention. You should start with shorter stories since their attention span is short and gradually move to longer ones. Making storytelling a part of their daily routine can help your child become kinder and more empathetic. Short moral stories for kids are a great way to help them start learning early which can help them learn important life lessons.

Choose Books They Love

Every child has something that interests them. Some love cars, some love dolls or superheroes. You can pick books on these topics so your child stays interested in the story. When a story matches the child’s interest they will want to read more.

Make Reading a Daily Routine

Pick a time for reading every day, It could be after playtime, during snack time, or at bedtime. When reading becomes a part of their daily routine, children start looking forward to it.

Set Up a Fun Reading Corner

You can set up a special place in the house for reading. Add cushions, comfortable seating, and shelves with books that your child can reach. It makes reading feel special and they can explore books on their own. It’s perfect when you want reading for toddlers to become a regular activity that they love.

Keep Books Everywhere

Put books around the playroom, and let your child be able to grab them. You can also place the books around the bed or on the coffee table. You also need to keep switching books once they have explored the old lot. This will keep them interested in reading.

Be a Role Model

Kids don’t listen, they watch and learn, if they see you reading and enjoying books, they will pick it up immediately., so read in front of them and show them that it can be a fun activity. This is very helpful when you are trying to develop the habit of reading for preschoolers.

Let Them Pick What to Read

Give your child the power of decision-making. Let them decide what they want to read. It could be a story or flipping through a magazine. Giving them the authority to decide makes them feel like they are a part of the process.

Read Before Bedtime

Bedtime is a perfect time for stories. Storytelling at bedtime has been done since ancient times. It helps the children wind down and gives them the signal that it is time to sleep. If you pick calm and soothing stories, your child will feel relaxed and sleep better.

Re-read Their Favourite Stories

Children love to listen to their favourite stories over and over. It helps them understand the story better each time and also pick new words. Re-reading gives them a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Ask Questions While Reading

Make reading more interactive by asking your child questions about the story. For example, “What do you think happens next?” or “Why do you think they did that?” This helps them think and talk about what they’re reading.

Stick to Printed Books

Gadgets are easy to use but the comfort of a physical book cannot be matched. Printed books also reduce screen distractions, which is important when building a habit of reading for preschoolers.

Why Reading is Amazing for Your Child

Helps Them Learn New Words

Books teach kids new words, helping them build a strong vocabulary. This makes it easier for them to talk and express themselves.

Improves Their Communication

Listening to stories shows kids how people talk and interact. They learn how to share their thoughts and feelings more clearly.

Teaches Them to Focus

Reading regularly helps kids pay attention for longer periods. It teaches them to listen, follow a story, and sit still, these are all important skills for reading in preschool.

Boosts Their Imagination

Books take kids to magical places and exciting adventures. This helps them think creatively and come up with their own ideas.

Makes Them Better Thinkers

Stories help kids understand problems and come up with solutions. They learn to connect ideas and think critically about what happens next.

Makes Them Curious

Reading habits for preschoolers take kids to a different world. They are introduced to new ideas and different ways of thinking. This increases their curiosity and makes them want to learn more about the world.

Helping toddlers and preschoolers build a love for reading is one of the best gifts you can give them. By making reading fun, setting a routine, and being a role model, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of learning and imagination. Remember, every book opens up a world of possibilities for your child.

You can check out more books for reading on our homepage to help your child further.

This article is in collaboration with Chitra Khanna, content strategist at Klay Preschools and Daycare, specializing in early childhood education and parenthood articles

Author Bio:

Chitra Khanna is the Content Strategist at KLAY Preschools & Daycare, where she leads content creation focused on early childhood education and parenting. With a background in digital marketing and a passion for empowering families, Chitra develops resources that engage and inform parents, helping them navigate the critical stages of their children’s development. Her creative approach and deep understanding of educational trends ensure that her content is both relevant and impactful. Outside of work, Chitra enjoys exploring new learning methodologies and contributing to discussions on child welfare and growth.