If you’re a parent or caregiver wondering how to give your child a head-start in life, the answer might be sitting on your bookshelf.
Research from BookTrust shows that shared reading—reading aloud with children—has a powerful and lasting impact on a child’s development, especially when it comes to brain development, speech, language, and academic success.
A brain built for books
Children’s brains grow faster in the first five years than at any other time in life. It’s during this critical window that their environment—especially loving, interactive experiences like reading—plays a huge role in shaping their development. Reading with a parent or carer isn’t just a nice moment of bonding; it actually enhances brain development, attention, and cognitive ability.
Engaging in shared reading helps boost neurological functions in young children, especially those from low-income backgrounds. It activates areas of the brain related to language, memory, attention, and self-control. Over time, this leads to stronger cognitive skills and better performance on tests. Reading for pleasure, even at a young age, can have long-lasting effects on brain function.
Reading builds ‘school readiness’ and world knowledge
Children who begin reading early and continue to read regularly tend to have greater general knowledge and stronger problem-solving abilities. Reading doesn’t just prepare them to do well in school—it helps them understand the world around them. It fuels intellectual growth, imaginative thinking, and cognitive skills that underpin lifelong learning.
The building blocks of language start with a story
From their very first picture book, children are learning how language works. Reading aloud with your child supports their speech and language development in a way that few other activities can. Compared to mealtimes, arts and crafts, or even playtime, shared reading offers unique and rich opportunities for verbal interaction.
As you read together, your child is introduced to new vocabulary within meaningful contexts. Unlike during free play—where words can be fleeting and scattered—story time provides focused language that helps children learn and retain new words. This exposure not only builds their vocabulary but also improves their understanding of how language is structured and used.
A strong start for school success
The benefits of shared reading go beyond the bedtime story. They lay the foundation for success at school. Children who regularly experience shared reading in their early years show stronger oral language skills, better print awareness, improved word recognition, and enhanced comprehension skills.
And here’s something remarkable: among all home learning activities—whether it’s singing the alphabet, playing music, or practicing writing—shared reading stands out as the only one that consistently boosts literacy outcomes by the end of Reception.
The long-term impact: A lifelong advantage
The advantages of shared reading don’t stop once your child starts school. In fact, they can stretch all the way into their teenage years. Children who are read to frequently at age five are more than half a school year ahead in reading by the time they’re 15. That’s a huge leap—one that can influence everything from academic performance to future opportunities.
Reading also strengthens other areas of learning. Children who are read to from a young age do better across the curriculum—not just in English, but in spelling, grammar, numeracy, and even mathematics. Reading for pleasure as a teenager significantly boosts cognitive abilities and academic scores later on.
A Simple Habit with Big Rewards
If there’s one takeaway from all this research, it’s this: reading with your child isn’t just a cosy bedtime ritual—it’s an investment in their future. Just a few minutes a day can make a lifelong difference.
So grab a book, snuggle up, and turn the page. You’re not just reading a story—you’re shaping a brighter future.