Preschool teacher Karin: How much should you read with a child – and why?

Regular reading with children is one of the most important things adults can do to support language development, reading enjoyment, and school success. But how much is needed – and is a bedtime story enough? What does research say?

1. Early and regular read-alouds have a big impact

• Children who hear more words develop stronger language and thinking skills (Hart & Risley, 1995).
• Reading aloud stimulates the brain and strengthens vocabulary, concentration, and empathy.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (2014) recommends reading aloud every day from infancy.

2. How much reading is needed?

• 15–20 minutes per day makes a big difference, especially if it occurs in various forms (reading aloud, conversation, retelling).
• It's not just how often you read, but how you read: discussing the text, asking questions, and connecting it to the child's everyday life strengthens understanding.

3. A bedtime story is good – but preferably more during the day

• A bedtime story creates closeness and security, but is often short and passive.
• Several short reading sessions during the day – e.g., after breakfast, on the bus, or after dinner – have a stronger linguistic effect.

4. Repeated reading strengthens learning

• Children learn new words and concepts by hearing them several times in different contexts (Horst et al., 2011).
• Rereading the same book multiple times is both language-developing and security-building.

5. Reading affects school success

• Children who hear many books develop better reading comprehension, storytelling skills, and learning strategies (Mol & Bus, 2011).
• Reading at home is strongly linked to reading interest and school results (OECD PIRLS & PISA).

6. Is a bedtime story enough?

A bedtime story is a lovely habit – but not sufficient in itself. For optimal language development, children should experience daily reading sessions of 15–20 minutes, preferably in various forms and with discussions about the content.

To ensure the child receives the amount of reading needed for good language development, Readioo is a valuable support. When the child reads aloud with Readioo and also hears read-alouds from an adult, the opportunities for optimal development in both language and reading ability increase.

Readioo simply makes it easier to read more!

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Karin Gifvas is a preschool teacher, primary school teacher, and special education teacher with deep expertise in reading, language, and writing development. With extensive experience working with digital services and products, she has a strong focus on creating accessible and inspiring learning environments. Through her work, she strives to give all children the best conditions to develop rich language, a strong enjoyment of reading, and a curiosity for learning.