The magic of reading together: early literacy from birth

Reading with your child does far more than introduce letters and words.

It helps children:

build vocabulary
hear the rhythm and patterns of language
develop listening and attention skills
understand emotions, people and the world around them
grow their imagination
feel close, calm and connected with you.

Shared reading also supports children to become confident communicators. This connects beautifully with the Early Years Learning Framework, which recognises communication, language and literacy as important parts of children’s learning and development.

At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we see reading as more than a school-readiness activity. It’s a joyful, relationship-rich experience that helps children feel safe, valued and curious.

Reading with your child is not just teaching them to read. It’s teaching them to love it.

You can start reading to your baby from birth, or even before!

You don’t need to wait until your child can talk, sit up or understand every word. Babies love hearing familiar voices, looking at simple pictures and feeling close to the people who care for them.

In the early months, reading might look like:

cuddling together with a soft or board book
pointing to simple pictures
using a gentle, expressive voice
singing rhymes or repeating favourite sounds
letting your baby touch, hold or explore the book.

As your child grows, books grow with them. Babies may enjoy high-contrast images and sturdy pages.

Toddlers often love lift-the-flap books, rhyme and repetition. Older children may enjoy longer stories with characters, humour and adventure.

There is no such thing as starting too early.

The science is beautiful: babies begin learning from the sound of your voice before they are even born.

During pregnancy, especially in the later months, babies can hear sounds from outside the womb, including voices, rhythms and patterns of speech. Research suggests newborns can recognise their mother’s voice and may even remember familiar sounds or stories they heard before birth. This does not mean you need to “teach” your baby before they arrive. It simply means your voice is already helping them feel connected to you.

Reading aloud during pregnancy can support early bonding because your baby becomes familiar with the rhythm, tone and comfort of your voice. After birth, that familiar voice continues to help your baby feel safe, settled and connected.

In the early days and months, reading also supports brain development. Babies are born ready to learn from warm, responsive interactions. When you read, talk, sing and cuddle, your baby is hearing language patterns, watching your facial expressions and learning that communication is joyful. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends shared reading from birth because it supports early literacy, nurturing relationships and healthy brain development.

Reading to a newborn might feel simple, but important things are happening.

Your baby is learning:

the sound and rhythm of language
the comfort of a familiar voice
how connection and communication feel
the beginnings of attention and listening
that books are part of loving, everyday routines.

Australian parenting resource Raising Children Network also notes that reading and storytelling with babies and children supports brain development, language, emotions and relationships.

So, whether your baby is still tucked safely in your tummy, lying in your arms or wriggling through tummy time, your voice matters. A gentle story, a nursery rhyme or even a few pages of your favourite book can become one of your baby’s first experiences of connection, comfort and learning.

Shared reading supports early learning because it brings together language, relationships, imagination and play.

When you read aloud, your child hears new words in meaningful ways. They begin to understand how stories work, how books are held and how ideas can be shared through pictures and words.

Reading also supports wellbeing. A familiar story can help children slow down, feel secure and enjoy a calm moment of connection.

This is especially valuable in the early years, when children learn best through warm, responsive relationships and everyday experiences.

At Sanctuary, our learning environments are designed to nurture curiosity, communication and confidence. Stories, songs, conversations and books are part of how children explore ideas, express themselves and connect with others.

Story time does not need to be perfect. It simply needs to be shared.

Here are some easy ways to bring books to life:

Use silly voices and lots of expression.
Point to pictures and name what you see.
Ask simple questions, such as “What do you think happens next?”
Let your child turn the pages.
Pause when your child points, babbles or comments.
Follow your child’s interests, even if that means reading the same page again.
Connect the story to your child’s own life - you might say:

“That dog looks like the one we saw on our walk.”

“She feels sad. What could help her feel better?”

“You found the red car. Can you see another one?”

These small conversations help children build language, memory, confidence and connection.

Repetition is a good thing.

If your child wants the same book for the hundredth time, take heart. This is exactly how young children learn.

Each time you read a familiar story, your child has another chance to:

remember new words
predict what comes next
join in with repeated phrases
notice new details in the pictures
feel the comfort of something familiar.

Those well-worn favourites, with their cracked spines and memorised pages, are doing wonderful work.

Repetition helps children feel confident because they know what is coming. Over time, they may begin to “read” the story back to you from memory. This is an important early literacy step.

The most powerful part of reading together is consistency.

Even 10 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference over time. The goal is not to finish a certain number of books. The goal is to create a calm, happy reading rhythm your child looks forward to.

You might try:

reading before bedtime
keeping books in the pram, car or nappy bag
visiting your local library
letting your child choose the book
creating a small reading corner at home
reading recipe books, signs, menus and family cards
letting your child see you enjoying books too.

Children who see reading valued are more likely to value it themselves.

A daily reading habit can also become a beautiful anchor in family life. It gives children a predictable moment to pause, connect and feel secure.

At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, reading is woven into everyday learning in warm, playful and meaningful ways.

Across our centres, children are encouraged to enjoy books, stories, songs and conversations as part of their day. Educators use shared reading to support language, creativity, emotional understanding and belonging.

This may include:

quiet story moments
group reading experiences
songs, rhymes and finger plays
storytelling through play
books linked to children’s interests
conversations about characters, feelings and ideas
literacy-rich learning spaces.

Our approach supports each child as an active, curious learner. Whether a child is turning pages, pointing to pictures, joining in with a rhyme or asking big questions about a story, they are building important foundations for lifelong learning.

So tonight, when you reach for that favourite story once again, know that you are giving your child one of the greatest gifts there is.

A love of reading opens doors for a lifetime. And it begins right there, in your lap, one page at a time.

When should I start reading to my baby?
You can start reading to your baby from birth. Even newborns benefit from hearing your voice, feeling close to you and being introduced to the rhythm of language.
How long should I read with my child each day?
Even 10 minutes a day is valuable. Short, regular reading moments are often more helpful than long sessions that feel rushed or stressful.
What books are best for babies?
Babies often enjoy sturdy board books, cloth books, simple pictures, high-contrast images, rhyme and rhythm. Books they can safely touch and explore are a great place to start.
Is it okay if my toddler only wants the same book?
Yes. Repetition helps young children learn. Reading the same book again and again builds memory, vocabulary, confidence and a sense of security.
What if my child will not sit still for a whole story?
That’s okay. Young children often move, point, talk or wander during stories. Keep reading relaxed and follow their interest. Even a few pages can be meaningful.
How can I make reading more interactive?
Ask questions, use expression, point to pictures, let your child turn pages and connect the story to real life. Shared reading works best when it feels like a conversation.
Does storytelling without a book still count?
Yes. Songs, rhymes, family stories and made-up stories all support language and imagination. Books are wonderful, but storytelling can happen anywhere.
How does reading help with school readiness?
Reading supports vocabulary, listening, attention, memory, emotional understanding and early literacy skills. These all help children feel more confident as they grow and prepare for school.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Recent Articles From Sanctuary

Bottling the Moments at Sanctuary Buderim

By Lauren Hall • August 20, 2026

Welcome back to Bottling the Moments, where I take you behind the scenes of my centre visits and share some of the moments that make me smile, make me laugh and remind me why early childhood education is such a special place to be. My recent visit to our beautiful Buderim centre was all about connection. Connection with our children, our team and many of our families during pick up. Families who trust us with their children every single day. When I arrived, Cody was waiting to take me on a tour of the centre, popping into every room to say good morning to the team, and to the children. I love starting a visit this way. It gives me the chance to say hello to everyone and get a feel for what is happening across the centre before I settle in and spend time with the children. Most of my morning was spent with our littlies in Starfish and Jellyfish. I was greeted by our Jellyfish toddlers with the most beautiful smiles. Mateo and Lenny could not have been more excited to see me, and honestly, it filled my heart with joy. Being welcomed like that by our little ones is pretty special, and it was the perfect way to start my morning with them. Lunch in Jellyfish was chicken curry, and I will admit, I did not expect to be quite so impressed watching a room full of toddlers tackle it. Spoons loaded, little hands determined, they fed themselves with a level of focus and independence that had me completely captivated. I loved watching how confidently they were feeding themselves. It was another one of those everyday moments that reminds me how much learning happens throughout the entire day. I then spent some time in Starfish with our littlest ones. With only four babies there that day, I was very lucky to get plenty of smiles, cuddles and playtime with Mauve, Lola, Ayla and Oliver. Oliver is still settling into his new environment, so I was more than happy to sneak in a few extra cuddles to help him feel safe and secure. Starting care is such a big transition for our babies, and for their families too. It is such a privileged position we are in. Our families trust us with their most precious little people, and in those early days, our babies are learning to trust us too. To learn that when they need comfort, we will be there. That they are safe. That they are cared for. And eventually, that Sanctuary is a place where they belong. Being part of building that trust is pretty special. After rest time, I found myself with Turtles and Dolphins for a treasure hunt. My group was Remi, Ella, Charlie and a couple of their friends, and off we went in search of treasure. We found an ant. We found a leaf. We found some bark on a tree. And apparently, according to every single member of my group, we also saw a bird. I did not see the bird. But they were absolutely adamant it was there, and despite my best efforts to tell them I couldn't see it, I was very clearly outnumbered! It was so much fun following their excitement as they discovered each new piece of "treasure" along the way. Over in Coral, it was story time, and this one was a little bit special for me. I had brought along a couple of books from my own son Austin's collection, and the group chose A Hero Like You and Boogie Bear. They loved them. Genuinely, properly loved them, calling out, pointing, joining in with the parts they already knew by heart. I absolutely loved being able to share a couple of Austin's favourite books with the children, and seeing how much they enjoyed them made this moment extra special for me. Over in Seagulls with our kindy children, everyone was outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine and there was plenty of energy to burn, so naturally, a game of tag was the perfect choice! Before long we were running around the playground, with everyone very determined not to be caught (and equally determined to make sure Miss Lauren was!). Very quickly I had about ten children chasing me, and at one point I somehow ended up on the ground being tickled, with a few of our team looking over to make sure I was okay! There was lots of laughter, lots of running and I think it's fair to say the children had a little more energy left in the tank than I did. After all that excitement, I found a quieter spot with Austin and a few of the children who were drawing. Austin and I have shared lots of special little moments since he first started with us as a baby in Starfish, so it was lovely to sit together drawing pictures and having a chat. It was one of those beautiful little moments that reminded me just how special it is to watch our children grow. From those early nursery days to now sitting beside me in Seagulls, these are the connections I feel incredibly lucky to have. Some of my favourite moments from a visit are also connecting 1:1 with our team members, either while they are in their element in their environment with the children, where they share the exciting activities from the week, or over a cuppa or lunch in the staff retreat. I had a beautiful conversation with Josie, one of our educators, who was so curious about our other Sanctuary centres. We chatted about what makes each of them different, what they are like and some of the wonderful things happening across our wider Sanctuary community. I loved her genuine interest and curiosity. I also spent some time with Chloe for one of our Future Leaders mentoring sessions. These are conversations I absolutely love. Creating opportunities for our future leaders to reflect, grow in confidence and discover what they are capable of is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. Cody, Laura and Annie had organised a special lunch in the lunchroom so I could sit with the team on their break, away from the busyness of the rooms. We talked about everything and nothing. Everyone was buzzing about the upcoming Long Lunch, and somewhere along the way the conversation turned to what everyone was currently watching, which, if you have ever sat in a staff room, you will know is a very serious topic of debate. Moments like these matter just as much as anything that happens in the rooms. Our educators give so much of themselves every day, and getting the opportunity to sit, laugh, chat and simply connect with them is something I really treasure. As I drove home that afternoon, I found myself smiling again, not because of one big moment, but because of dozens of little ones. The excitement on Mateo and Lenny's faces. A room full of toddlers proudly feeding themselves. A bird I apparently missed. Sharing two of Austin's books with a new little audience. A beautiful conversation with Josie. Time spent with Chloe talking about her leadership journey. And a lunchroom full of laughter and excitement about our upcoming Long Lunch. These are the moments that remind me why creating the right environment matters so much. They are the moments that make Sanctuary what it is. Until next time… Lauren x