Reading Routines: Growing a Love of Reading
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Reading with our toddlers can be one of the most amazing parts of the day - a time to really pause, connect, and share something special together. Beyond being a cosy ritual, it’s also one of the most powerful ways we can support our tamariki language, brain development, and social-emotional growth.
Language connects us to each other, to our culture, and to our world. From before they’re even born, pēpi are learning the rhythms and sounds of language. Whānau help grow these skills through talking, telling stories, singing waiata, playing, and, of course… reading!
Why reading together matters
Reading with our tamariki isn’t just about learning words, it’s about building memories, connection, and a lifelong love of books. Research shows that:
- Books expand vocabulary - Books use a much wider variety of words than we usually use in everyday conversations. Tamariki who are read to often are exposed to a wider vocabulary, which makes learning to read later easier - because they’re already familiar with so many words, even if they don’t know what they look like.
- Reading strengthens the brain - Our brains aren’t born with a “reading network.” Instead, reading brings together multiple regions: vision, attention, memory, and language - and builds connections between them through repeated exposure. The more tamariki are read to, the more easily these pathways grow.
- Books grow empathy and emotional understanding - Stories allow tamariki to explore situations they might not encounter in their daily lives. A character who feels lonely, scared, or joyful can spark kōrero about feelings in a way that is safe and relatable.
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Shared reading builds connection - Sitting together with a book is about more than words it’s about closeness, attention, and feeling safe. This sense of security lays the foundation for confidence and curiosity in learning.
Reading with toddlers: What to expect
12 - 18 months
At this stage, toddlers might be saying around 50 words, many of which will be coming directly from books you’ve read together.
- Let them choose the book (even if it’s the same one every night).
- Repetition is key - re-read favourites, adding dramatic voices or hand actions.
- Encourage them to turn the pages, point to pictures, or even flip back and forth - it doesn’t matter if we never make it to the end.
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Keep sessions short and flexible - a couple of minutes of happy reading is better than pushing for longer and everyone getting bored and loosing interest.
18 - 24 months
By now, toddlers often understand much more than they can say.
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Ask open-ended questions:
“What do you think will happen next?”
“How do you think the dog feels?” - Link the story to your child’s life
“Look she’s eating an apple, just like you did at lunch!”
“He likes playing with diggers too!”
- Try books with simple storylines and familiar routines like bath time, bedtime, or going to school
Remember: short attention spans are normal. Sometimes your toddler will sit for 10 minutes, other times they’ll wriggle away after one page. Both are developmentally on track.
Everyday ways to support reading
- Make books accessible - A low shelf or basket lets toddlers choose their own books, building independence.
- Visit the library - Libraries offer storytimes, toddler-friendly spaces, and shelves of age-appropriate books. Many have pukapuka in te reo Māori or bilingual texts, which can be a great resource for whānau.
- Take books on the go - Waiting at the doctor, travelling in the car, or sitting at a café - books are an awesome alternative to screens in those moments where there might be some boredom or waiting.
- Keep it playful - Use silly voices, sing rhymes, and let your toddler “read” parts of the book to you.
- Read in their languages - For bilingual or multilingual tamariki, having books in their home languages helps strengthen literacy and identity. Seeing their culture and language represented in books reinforces their sense of self.
Repetition is learning
Parents sometimes wonder if it’s a problem when toddlers want the same book over and over again. In reality, repetition is a powerful part of learning. Each time they hear the story, their brain is strengthening pathways and they’re able to join in more actively - predicting what comes next, saying familiar words, or pointing to details in the pictures. What feels repetitive for us is often deeply satisfying and confidence-building for them.
Reading as preparation for life
Books aren’t just about imagination - they also prepare tamariki for real-life experiences. A story about visiting the doctor, starting preschool, or welcoming a new baby can help toddlers make sense of what’s happening in their own world. Reading about big emotions, like feeling scared or jealous, can also open gentle kōrero that might be harder to start otherwise.
When tamariki face challenges or changes, books can be a safe bridge into conversation. A toddler might not be ready to say “I feel lonely,” but they may happily chat about a character in a book who feels that way. For example, if transitioning to school, have a look at Ready For School by Big Moments or if welcoming a new sibling to the whānau, we love Patrick and George - New siblings and a search for love by Jess Urlichs.
Growing a lifelong reader
The magic of shared reading is that it grows with your child. What begins as a toddler sitting on your lap to turn pages becomes, over time, a foundation for school readiness, literacy, and a love of stories that can last a lifetime.
When tamariki associate books with warmth, fun, and connection, they’re much more likely to carry that love of reading forward. In this way, shared reading is like a “magic ingredient” in development - strengthening language, brain growth, social skills, and bonds with whānau all at once.
So snuggle in, let your toddler hand you their favourite book (again!), and enjoy the wonder of stories together. The details of the books may fade, but the feeling of closeness and joy will stay forever.