The Importance of Book Reading with your Child

Published 19 January 2026

Reading together with your child is one of the most powerful ways to boost their language skills in a fun and engaging way. Research highlights why reading with your child is a top strategy for language development, with key findings such as vocabulary growth, stronger language comprehension and early literacy skills.

What is Dialogic Book Reading?

Dialogic book reading is a child-led, interactive technique where adults engage children in a conversation about a book WHILE reading a book together. It is not just about reading the words, it's about talking, pointing, and interacting with the story. The child becomes a ‘storyteller’ by asking and answering questions, describing pictures, and relating the story to their own experiences, rather than just passively listening.

What are the benefits?

Dialogic book reading:

  • Develops stronger oral language and vocabulary.

  • Improves comprehension and critical thinking skills.

  • Makes reading a fun, engaging, and empowering experience for children.

How can parents do it at home?

Here are some strategies to engage in interactive child-led book reading at home:

  • Point and Talk: Take turns pointing to pictures, describing what you see and talking about the pictures.

  • Ask Questions: Ask your child questions about the story (e.g. "What's happening here?" “What do you think might happen next?”)

  • Expand Language: Add to what your child says (e.g. Child: "Dog!" Parent: "Yes, that’s a big, spotty dog!").

  • Make It Fun: Use fun voices and encourage your child to join in. You can also act out scenes, using actions or props!

Can I please have some fun and interactive book suggestions?

There are books that are ideal for different ages!

  • Toddlers: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, We’re going on a Bear Hunt, Brown Bear Brown Bear, Dear Zoo

  • Preschoolers: The Gruffalo, Where Is the Green Sheep?, Who Sank the Boat?

  • School-Agers: The Magic Tree House series, Roald Dahl books, Possum Magic, Dr Seuss books

How will Speech Pathologists use Book Reading to support my child?

Speech Pathologists use dialogic book reading to:

  • Build vocabulary: Children are exposed a variety of new words in context, such as nouns and categories, context-specific vocabulary, adjectives, verbs and more!

  • Improve comprehension: Clinicians Ask questions about the story, characters, and plot. They may also explore more abstract concepts such as inferencing and predictions.

  • Boost expressive language: Clinician’s model language for children and encouraging them to describe and narrate throughout.

  • Target specific-speech goals: Children also have the opportunity to engage in other goals such as practicing sounds, sentence structures, or fluency in a fun, interactive way.

Overall, reading books with your child is versatile and multiple goals can be targeted together. The Speech Pathologist will tailor therapy to your child’s needs. Want to try it out? Grab a book and start chatting with your little one! What book do you think you'd like to start with? Our skilled Leichhardt therapists are here to support you with all any questions you might have!

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Written by Speech Pathologist Dana
Speech and Growth Clinic