Why Shared Book Reading Matters and How to Make the Most of It

At Move Play Say, we believe that one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s speech and language development is simple: read together. Shared book reading is more than just a cozy routine. It’s a research-backed way to build vocabulary, support early literacy skills, and strengthen your bond with your child.

READ THIS BLOG IN FULL FOR A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

When you read with your child, you're doing more than turning pages. You’re exposing them to new sounds, words, sentence structures, and ideas. These experiences help lay the foundation for communication, comprehension, and imagination, and they start paying off sooner than you might think.

📚 Did you know? Children who are read to daily hear up to 290,000 more words by age 5 than those who aren’t read to regularly (Logan et al., 2019). This “word gap” can have a lasting impact on vocabulary development and school readiness. Let’s take a look at how shared book reading can look different and effective at various stages:

Tips for Reading with 1–3 Year Olds

At this stage, focus on making reading interactive and playful.

• Use books with real photos or bold, simple illustrations. Children this age respond well to visuals that reflect their world

• Label everything. Point to objects and name them clearly: “That’s a dog. Woof woof!”

• Repeat favorite books often. Repetition builds vocabulary and helps toddlers anticipate language

• Keep it short and sweet. You don’t need to finish every book. Follow your child’s lead and turn it into a back-and-forth exchange

• Use gestures and sounds. Act out actions, make animal noises, and use facial expressions to keep engagement high

Tips for Reading with 3–5 Year Olds

Preschoolers are ready for more complex language and story structure.

• Ask open-ended questions. Try “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why is she feeling sad?”

• Talk about the story. Reflect on the characters’ actions or emotions to build social understanding

• Make connections. Relate the story to your child’s life: “Remember when you went to the zoo?”

• Encourage retelling. Let your child “read” the book back to you in their own words, even if they’re making it up

• Use books with rich vocabulary. Introduce new words in a fun, low-pressure way

Tips to Make Summer Reading Fun

Summer is full of playful ways to enjoy books together.

• Visit the library. Make it a fun outing on rainy days and let your child choose books that spark their interest

• Our pro tip. Let your child pick a book or magazine while at the grocery store to encourage independence and keep them busy

• Bring books on the go. Keep a few favorites in the car or stroller for errands, waiting rooms, or picnics

• Match books to real life. Read about topics like bugs, beaches, or ice cream to connect stories to summer adventures

• Switch things up. Rotate a small set of books weekly to keep your child engaged with fresh titles and pictures

  
  

📖 Here’s another compelling fact: Early exposure to rhyme, storytelling, and playful language in the preschool years lays a strong foundation for reading and spelling success. Research shows that children who hear and engage with rhyming patterns develop stronger phonological awareness—an essential skill for reading fluency and spelling accuracy by early elementary school (National Early Literacy Panel, 2008).

No matter your child’s age, the most powerful tool is you. Your voice, your time, and your enthusiasm for reading help build confidence and connection. Even just a few minutes a day can make a lasting difference.

Exciting News from Move Play Say

We’re excited to announce the upcoming release of our brand-new eBook, carefully curated by our owner and lead Speech Language Pathologist, Stacia Maillis, to support families with young children ages 1 to 5. This practical guide is filled with real-life examples, easy-to-use visuals, and tips you can start using right away—plus even more strategies to encourage your child’s early development through play, connection, and communication.

Stay tuned for the release date, and be sure to join our email list so you don’t miss any updates. Thank you for following, trusting, and believing in Move Play Say!