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Value of reading to your child
Tips for reading to your child | Children's Access

Value of reading to your child

One of the best things we can do for our children is read to them
- no matter how young they are!

Reading is an opportunity to cuddle up and share.

Reading aloud to them actually stimulates brain cells and helps their brains to develop.

Although babies may not understand the words or the pictures, they will love the sound of your voice.

The sooner you read to your child, the sooner they will want to read too.

In the first five years of life they learn faster than they ever will again.

When you read to them they learn ...

  • language and communication skills - babies learn to speak by imitating sounds
  • about concepts like colours and shapes, animals and families
  • how to hold books, how to turn their pages and how to care for them.

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    Reading to your baby develops a love of books and creates life-long readers!

    Tips for reading to your child


  • Read to them every day.

  • Cuddle up.

  • Keep your voice lively.

  • Don't read too fast or turn the pages too quickly, young babies need time to focus and respond to what they see.

  • Take them to the library to choose books.

  • Children love books with rhyme, rhythm and repetition.

  • Let them touch and hold the book if they wish. If you are worried about damage to library books choose sturdy board books with wipeable pages.

  • Take a book with you when you go out. Read on the bus, at the park, waiting in line - wherever you are!

  • At 12 - 24 months:
    - books with holes, shapes or flaps will add interest
    - run your finger under the words as you read them

    Relax and have fun! Let it be a happy experience for both of you.

    Children's Access

    Wellington City Libraries welcomes children and adults.

    Children have access to all material in the library, including items in the adult collection. It is the responsibility of parents and caregivers to be aware of items browsed in the library and issued on their child's card.

    The library is not responsible for children left unattended. The appropriate authorities may be called if a parent or caregiver cannot be found or contacted.

    Please explore and enjoy the library together!

    Libraries Customer Charter, page 4 (fulltext online, 486kb):
    • Children are welcome in all libraries but staff are not able to act "in loco parentis" and care for children in the absence of a parent or guardian.
    • If any child under 15 acts unreasonably in the library, staff may request that the child and any person in charge of the child leave the library

    Summary Offences Act 1981 Section 10B:
    Leaving a child without reasonable supervision and care.
    Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000 who, being a parent or guardian or a person for the time being having the care of a child under the age of 14 years, leaves that child, without making reasonable provision for the supervision and care of the child, for a time that is unreasonable or under conditions that are unreasonable having regard to all the circumstances.

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