Reading brings us together and grows our language forever.
Books, stories, pictures and imagination all open the door to communication
Reading with our tamariki is a moment to talk, wonder, laugh, and explore ideas together.
When book reading becomes part of our routine, language grows naturally.
Reading books with children helps build their vocabulary and early conversational skills.
It also supports imagination, curiosity, and a positive relationship with words and print – laying important foundations for later literacy skills.
But most of all, it’s a chance to spend time together.
Try to make time to read each day, even briefly, and share a book with your child.
Children will find a favourite book they’ll want to hear again and again.
That repetition matters. It helps them build familiarity and confidence with language.
You can change how you read together too, by telling the story in your own words or letting your child take the lead and “tell” the story themselves.
It’s about turning pages into conversation and growing literacy skills together.
If they’re drawn to a particular page or picture, pause there.
Talk about what they can see. Wonder together.
You might notice more learning happens when you slow down and follow what they’re interested in, rather than moving through the book from start to finish.
Their language grows when they’re engaged and curious.
Books are full of opportunities for conversation:
“What do you think is happening here?”
“Look at that character’s face.”
“That looks funny!”
“I wonder what happens next…”
Talking about pictures, characters and ideas helps tamariki build understanding and expressive language in a natural way.
Reading together is also about closeness and spending screen-free time together.
Sitting and cuddling together, on your knee or side by side sharing a book. These moments of love matter just as much as the words themselves.
Moments like this create safety, comfort, and a positive emotional experience around reading – which supports their learning even further.
Reading is about connection, imagination, and shared attention.
Books bring us together and grow our language forever.
Read, talk, and connect, every single day.
