Reading aloud to toddlers: when to start, how long and which books?

Reading is part of bedtime in our house. We started early with baby books, mostly touching and looking. Then came the Miffy books we bought at a King’s Day flea market.

Sharing a book does not have to mean reading a whole story from the start. Looking at one picture together and talking about it counts too.

At what age can you start reading aloud?

You can start in infancy. There is no need to wait until your child can talk or follow a story. A baby hears your voice and looks with you. The Dutch Reading Foundation recommends starting early and continuing to read together: the Dutch Reading Foundation’s advice on starting early (in Dutch).

With a baby, try looking at a cloth book and talking about what you see. With a one-year-old, point to a shoe or a dog. As your toddler grows, you can try a simple story. There is no particular birthday when that change has to happen.

How long should you read to a toddler?

Try starting with five minutes. That is a practical suggestion, not a minimum your child has to reach. If they lose interest after two minutes, you can close the book. If they want more, keep going for as long as you both enjoy it.

For a two-year-old, try one short book or just their favourite pages. Two brief reading moments may suit your day better than one long story. At three, you can try a little more text. BookTrust suggests ten minutes of shared reading a day for children aged three to four: BookTrust’s reading tips for ages three to four. Think of those ten minutes as a guideline. A shorter session is fine if your child has had enough.

How often should you read together?

Try to find a small moment every day. You could leave a book beside the pyjamas so you notice it after getting changed. If evenings are difficult because your child is already tired, try after breakfast.

In our house, books now come out during the day too. Our son runs to the bookcase himself several times a day. We keep his books where he can reach them on his own.

Giving reading a regular place in your day helps it become a habit. That fits the advice from BoekStart’s tips on sharing books (in Dutch). Missed a day? Just pick up a book again tomorrow.

Which books suit a one-year-old?

Sturdy board books with clear pictures are a useful place to start. Look for things from everyday life: a cat, a cup, shoes by the door. A book of pictures to point at has no story you need to finish. You can stay with that one cat.

BoekStart describes pointing and naming at its guide to reading with children aged 12 to 16 months (in Dutch). A touch-and-feel book is another option for a child who likes exploring with their hands.

Our son also enjoys books with music and sounds. He likes pressing the buttons on the pages himself.

Which books suit a two-year-old?

Try a short picture book about something familiar, such as going to bed or an animal losing a favourite object. Look for illustrations that show what is happening. A repeated phrase gives your child something to join in with.

A book such as the Dutch title Dikkie Dik op de boerderij gives you animals to point out. With The Very Hungry Caterpillar, you can start by looking at the food and read more of the story later. The age on the back helps you browse, but watch how your child responds.

Which books suit a three-year-old?

At three, try a story with a small problem and a resolution. A search-and-find book is still an option: looking for a hidden cat gives you plenty to talk about.

The Gruffalo may suit a child who enjoys repetition and a little suspense. If the monster frightens your child, choose something else. We describe these books in more detail in Our favorite children's books for babies and toddlers. These age groups are a guide. Pay attention to what your child enjoys too.

Can familiar details help a child engage with a story?

A familiar detail gives you something to talk about. The bear needs boots, just like your child did this morning. Or the rabbit has lost a cuddly toy. You could say, “Your teddy was under the blanket.” Do not expect a long conversation. A glance or a pointing finger is a response too.

These days, we mostly read our own BoekjesAtelier books, in which our son recognises himself. The Dutch edition of “Guess How Much I Love You” is another book we read at bedtime.

In our books, your child takes the lead role and the illustrations are made with AI using a photo. You can see how that works in What makes a children’s book with a photo really personal?. Even a book like this will not hold every toddler’s attention every time.

Leave one book on the sofa for tomorrow. Let your child choose where to start, even if it is the same book again.