When I work with families, one of the first things we discuss is the importance of the parent- / caregiver-child bond; how and why it is central to language learning and development. At its core, language is about connection and communication – it’s a tool we use to interact, to express ourselves, to build and nurture relationships. This fundamental need for connection is why building and sustaining the bond between a parent/caregiver and a child should always come first, going beyond linguistic or academic goals.
Today is World Read Aloud Day, a celebration of books, stories and the magic of reading. It’s a way to preserve home languages, foster deep emotional connections and create shared experiences. Those special moments – cuddled up with a book, lost in a story together – become lifelong memories, strengthening a child’s sense of belonging in the languages that matter most to them and their family.
And if there’s
one simple habit that can supercharge a child’s language skills,
it’s reading aloud. It builds vocabulary, nurtures a love for books, and – perhaps most importantly – deepens the bond between parent/caregiver and child.
Parents raising multilingual children often focus on fluency and vocabulary, which are indisputably important, but the emotional benefits of reading together are often overlooked. But here’s the thing – reading aloud isn’t just about language. It’s about connection.
1.The benefits of reading aloud
Language Development
I’ve talked about the incredible benefits of reading aloud before and they are undeniable. Reading aloud:
- Is one of the most effective ways to boost and develop a child’s vocabulary, comprehension and fluency, especially in the home language and when it is not the language spoken at school.
- Provides access to a wider variety of literature, exposing children to cultural and linguistic richness they might not otherwise encounter.
- Nurtures the love for reading, turning books into a lifelong habit rather than a chore.
- Introduces richer language structures and more complex sentences, which children may not hear in everyday conversation.
Emotional connection
This is the underrated, often ignored piece of the puzzle. And here’s where it gets even more interesting – reading with your child is also highly beneficial for you as a parent or caregiver. When we talk about raising children with multiple languages, we often focus on the science and best practices, failing to talk about parental well-being in the process. Yes, we talk about how difficult it can be at times – whether it’s when navigating external pressures or dealing with your own guilt. But let me tell you – reading books together strengthens not only the parent-child bond but also the emotional well-being for both. Research suggests that when two people engage in a shared activity – like having a conversation, playing music or reading a book together – their brain activity synchronise. This neural alignment may be one of the reasons we feel so deeply connected and emotionally attuned to our children when we read together; it plays a key role in deepening relationships. This creates a safe shared experience; a space where children feel heard, seen and emotionally connected to their parents. It makes reading aloud not just a tool for language development but a powerful way to foster a feeling of ‘togetherness’.
Studies also show that reading aloud helps regulate emotions in children and provides a sense of security. The same is true for parents – those quiet, shared moments bring calm and connection in a busy world.
2.Reading aloud in the home language: why it’s even more important for multilingual families
A cultural and emotional anchor
For multilingual families, preserving the home language goes well beyond communication – it’s a pillar of identity. Reading in the home language helps children stay connected to their cultural roots, traditions and cultural heritage; it opens the doors to a world that may otherwise remain unattainable. Many of the stories shared between parents / caregivers and children often contain values, humour and worldviews, which children might miss out on if they only read in their school language or other languages available to them. Some don’t always translate well into other languages. In fact, many classic folk tales, nursery rhymes and childhood books are only available in the original language, making reading aloud a way to pass down cultural heritage and keep traditions alive. In addition, many of these stories introduce vocabulary that your child might not encounter in everyday conversation. Reading them together not only helps expand their language skills but also provides insight into the cultural mindset, values and unique perspectives shaped by history, geography and traditions. These words carry more than just meaning – they reflect the way people think, express themselves, interpret the world and do life, offering your child a deeper, more nuanced connection to their heritage.
This happens often with my son in Bulgarian Heritage School. When I help him with his homework and we read and re-read some of the texts he has, we come across quite a few words he doesn’t know and cannot infer from the context – some are rarely used, while others have historical or cultural significance. We break them down, discuss their meaning and laugh about where they come from and how they fit into our own lives. And, at times, I struggle with the translation myself, so we end up looking up their meaning. These moments turn into inside jokes, cultural learning and fun times – for all of us.
When the home language isn’t spoken at school
As children grow up, the school language often becomes more dominant, especially if the home language isn’t reinforced. Without sufficient practice, children may start losing fluency and confidence in their home language, leading to language attrition and eventually language loss. Reading aloud in the home language is one of the best ways to keep it alive – it ensures that children continue developing fluency, comprehension and a deep emotional connection to their linguistic roots.
3. Using stories as springboard for conversations
Books are powerful conversation starters, naturally encouraging children to ask questions and connect stories to their own experiences. A story about a child moving to a new country, for example, might lead to a discussion about their own multilingual journey. Parents can deepen these conversations by asking questions like,
- “What would you do in this situation?”
- “How do you think the character felt?” or
- “Does this remind you of something in real life?”
Such discussions help children develop critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence as well as a deeper understanding of the world around and within them. And you know what, they strengthen the parent-child bond by creating moments of connection and trust. These conversations are two-ways streets – you share, they share. You open up to them and so do they. And, as a parent / caregiver, you also have the opportunity to gain insight into your child’s thoughts, emotions and experiences. It’s a win-win, really!
A simple habit with lasting impact
Reading aloud isn’t just about learning vocabulary – it’s about building relationships, fostering emotional security and nurturing a lifelong love for books. Turning children into life-long readers. Whether your child is just beginning their reading journey or is already a confident reader, sharing stories together creates a bond that has the potential to last well beyond childhood. A bond built on a special tradition – one that is uniquely yours. These moments of connection – filled with laughs and lots of questions – become special memories that shape your child’s sense of belonging, self-expression and (hopefully) love for language. Reading aloud doesn’t just help children learn a language; it strengthens the invisible threads that tie them to their parents and caregivers, underscoring why reading is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support a child’s development – both linguistically and emotionally.
So this World Read Aloud Day, grab a book, snuggle up and either start a new habit or take an existing one to the next level. Try something new. Because every story you share is more than just words on a page – it’s a moment of togetherness, a conversation starter and the beginning of lots of new memories.
💬 Do you read aloud with your child? What’s their current favourite book? Let’s share our favourites in the comments!
Resources:
- Fishburn, Fr. et al. (2018) Putting our heads together: interpersonal neural synchronization as a biological mechanism for shared intentionality. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Volume 13 (8), pp. 841 – 849.
- Lam, Sh-f. et al. (2013) Involving parents in paired reading with preschoolers: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 38 (2), pp. 126 – 135.
- Lotter, L. D. (2023) Revealing the neurobiology underlying interpersonal neural synchronization with multimodal data fusion. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Volume 146 – March 2023, 105042, pp. 1- 17.
- Madigan, S., Prime, H., Graham, S., et al. (2019) Parenting behavior and child language: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 144(4):e20183556
- Weisleder, Adriana et al. (2019) Links between Shared Reading and Play, Parent Psychosocial Functioning, and Child Behavior: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 213, 187 – 195.e1
- Xie, Q.-W. et al. (2018) Psychosocial Effects of Parent-Child Book Reading Interventions: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 141(4):e20172675.
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