A National Reading Promotion Plan reminded us a few years ago: "If you read, they read." There are plenty of clarifications, but the example of parents is decisive when initiating children into the fascinating world of reading, thus bringing them closer to Literature that brings so many good things to us.
The fact that parents read, and that there are books (and newspapers when the babies are older), are facilitating factors. From there, we can only make a small "effort", so that they appreciate the stories, teachings and illustrations of stories now ... and novels, comics or essays, in a few years. That effort actually it becomes something pleasant, and you are about to find out how.
Surely many of you have read soft stories to your children when they were just a few months old, do you remember why you did it? Exactly: the moment of reading to the children is very rewarding because enables very intense contact. We love to watch how they watch us attentively while we whisper short phrases about little sheep that huddle together with their mothers; They are comforted to feel our presence, and to realize that we care about them.
If you have older children they will tell you that the reading helps develop imagination, improves comprehension and expression, facilitates learning spelling and grammar ... That's true, but when you read because you love readingsIt is done for pleasure, to have a good time, to discover, etc; each has their reasons.
And since we know what reasons you are not lacking to hold the little ones in your arms and read them a few pages every night, we want now help you select those books that they will arrive on time for their appointment, minutes before the children fall asleep. Today we are going to explain what to take into account when choosing readings for children from 0 to 4 years old.
Follow these recommendations
The main characteristics that these books should have are: for babies up to six monthsWe will choose them soft (they can also be made of fabric), note that the image predominates over the text, but that is good, because for the child it is very important that mom or dad tell them nice things about the drawings. Later, and until the year, take advantage of the fact that there are toy books on the market that their little hands can manipulate, and they include very short stories.
Between one and (approximately) three years, the image is still more meaningful than the text, and we can introduce sequenced stories, provided they are short. At those ages they can follow a simple sequence, and normally the most recurrent themes are those related to the family, everyday events and the environment. Thus we will find stories about visiting grandparents, a morning in the park, the pediatrician's consultation, pets, etc. Keep in mind that the stories must still be resistant (harder covers and pages than with older ages), because they will not only open the pages, but they will use them to bite, serve as a boat for the dolls, or launch and listen to what sound they make .
From the age of three, books have the basic purpose of entertaining. The text will remain short, although it will allow the participation of children looking for characters, repeating phrases, etc. Let's not forget that the drawings are still important, and allow us to appreciate the differences according to the style of the illustrator, which in itself is tremendously educational.
At the age when many children start school, the children's literature offering ranges from die-cut books and raised illustrations, to much more elaborate content that introduces children to true literature: classic, popular tales, stories with a certain level of complexity, etc. The text is gaining more importance, and a good part of the books are published in capital letters, to facilitate the literacy stage.
As you can see, you don't have to wait for them to know how to read to enjoy reading, and on the other hand, in addition to reading to them, you can (and should) let them discover the magic of books for themselves
Ideas and formats that children from 0 to 4 years old will love
In the world of early childhood, many expert voices remember that Literature has no strict age. Still, it's helpful to have flexible, development-based guidelines. Here are some proven suggestions that respect rhythms and enhance enjoyment:
- Routine books that accompany moments like bath time or bedtime. Titles with repeated actions and sliding tabs help anticipate and soothe.
- Peek-a-boo games with flaps, ideally made of felt or other resistant materials, to ensure the object remains intact without fear of breakage.
- Repetition and prediction: cumulative structures that children memorize and complete; the music of language sustains attention and encourages participation.
- Onomatopoeia and riddles on tabbed pages: they spark curiosity and train active listening.
- Books of emotions with real photographs or simple illustrations to name what they feel: joy, anger, fear, calm.
- Discovery Classics that explore days, numbers, or fruits, reinforcing vocabulary and basic concepts through transformation and play.
- Rhymed and sung (even those that can be dramatized) to work on rhythm, memory, and connection. Singing and gesturing multiply the magic.
- Pop-ups and die-cuts Supervised use: best to introduce them when the treatment of books is more conscious, prolonging their useful life.
- “Infinite” game book or reversible, which when turned proposes a rhythmic loop: it surprises, makes people laugh and reinforces joint attention.
- Smells and colors: Rub-and-sniff stories that connect senses, enrich vocabulary, and link sensations with words.
- Values and diversity told with humor and tenderness: friendship, self-esteem, inclusion, breaking stereotypes or facing fear head on.
Many of these approaches materialize in recognizable stories: there are tales that They dismantle prejudices about the wolf, others who invite you to work as a team to achieve the unattainable (how to climb to the moon), stories that help to name emotions with images, proposals that invite you to laugh at the fear of monsters, or adventures to “hunt a bear” by singing and overcoming symbolic obstacles, always in company. You will also find books that They play with colors to talk about love, wordless albums that prove that gestures communicate more than the voice, and classic ones with windows and pop-ups with charismatic characters that require care in handling.
How to tell and sing stories to engage children
The secret ingredient is you. The way of counting Transform a book into a shared experience. Some practical tips:
- Voices and rhythm: changes tone according to the characters, uses pauses, whispers, and silences. The prosody is music to your ears.
- Songs and clapping: incorporates rhymes, repetitive gestures, and rhymes. Repetition provides confidence and improves memory.
- Active participation: invites you to search for characters, finish sentences, blow, clap, touch textures, or move the book when the story suggests it.
- Routine and environmentCreate a reading corner at their height, with soft lighting and minimal stimulation. Repeating the same story on certain days strengthens the bond.
- Time and respect: If today you only turn pages, that's fine. autonomy in exploration It is part of learning to read.
Remember that at this stage babies “read” with their bodies: they touch, bite, stack, throwThis sensory-motor interaction doesn't compete with reading; it accompanies it. Your presence, your gaze, and your emotional availability are the bridge that transforms each page into a moment of connection.
Respectful and safe selection: materials, content and accessibility
In addition to the content, take care of the medium. For the little ones, prioritize thick cardboard pages, rounded corners, sturdy binding and safe inks. The felt flaps They are more resistant to use than paper ones, and pop-ups should be reintroduced when handling is respectful.
In the narrative, it bets on messages that promote self-esteem and inclusion: stories that show that “fitting in” doesn’t always require changing yourself, stories that normalize the diversity of bodies, families, and abilities, and tales that question gender stereotypes without losing the humor. The plots that also work very well invite us to name and regulate emotions from calm.
There's no need to restrict your child by age. Every child has their own rhythm: some babies pick up rhymes earlier, others prefer to look for pictures or lift flaps. Therefore, rather than setting specific ages, think about development windows and see how your little one responds to each proposal.
Finally, it facilitates access: a corner at your height Rotating 6–10 books periodically encourages independent exploration; specialized libraries and bookstores are great allies for discovering new voices and styles.
Before we finish, we'd like to tell you that when choosing reading material, we shouldn't be too strict, and that a 3- or 4-year-old child knows exactly what they want; sometimes it's good to let them choose. We'll continue another day with recommendations of readings for children between five and seven years old, stay tuned.