This video shows how parents and caregivers can make reading time interactive and enjoyable by pausing, asking questions, and talking about what's happening in the story.
Finding Books to Enjoy
You don't need a big bookshelf at home to make reading part of your routine. Your local library is a wonderful place to explore new stories and it's free! Many children also bring home books from the school library each week. Reading these books together shows your child that you value reading and helps them practise the skills they're learning at school.
The Benefits of Shared Reading
When you share books with your child, you're doing so much more than just reading words on a page. Shared reading helps your child to:
- Build language skills: hearing stories read aloud introduces new words and sentence structures.
- Develop phonics skills: sounding out words helps children understand how letters and sounds work together.
- Grow comprehension: talking about what's happening in the story strengthens understanding and memory.
- Build confidence and connection: reading together creates calm, positive moments of closeness at the end of the day.
Why It's Important to Switch Off Screens Before Bed
In today's busy world, it can be tempting to wind down with a screen, but research shows that turning off devices before bedtime has huge benefits for children's sleep, focus, and wellbeing. The blue light from screens (like TVs, tablets, and phones) can make it harder for the brain to produce melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep.
Replacing screens with a quiet, shared reading time helps your child's brain and body relax. It reduces stimulation, improves sleep quality, and encourages imagination and creativity. Plus, it's a much calmer and more meaningful way to end the day than scrolling or watching TV.
The Power of Routine
Children thrive on routines because they help them feel safe, settled, and ready for what's coming next. Creating a simple bedtime routine that includes reading, such as “bath", “pyjamas", “story", then “lights out", can make evenings smoother and less stressful for everyone.
When reading becomes part of the nightly rhythm, it quickly turns into something children look forward to and expect. A consistent bedtime reading routine helps signal to your child's brain that it's time to wind down. Over time, this not only supports healthy sleep patterns but also builds strong habits around books, learning, and language.
So tonight, try turning off the screens a little earlier, dim the lights, and curl up with a good book together. A few pages of shared reading before bed can help your child develop important reading skills, and memories that last a lifetime.
Kind Regards,
Morgan Johnson
Speech-Language Pathologist at Deception Bay State School