Engaging in Book Reading with Your Child

Do you find it difficult to keep your child engaged when reading together?

Shared book reading is a great way to support language and literacy development, but factors like attention, sensory processing, language skills, and postural control can impact your child’s ability to focus.

Understanding these challenges and making small adjustments can help facilitate engagement during book reading. 

What Impacts Engagement in Shared Book Reading?

Language Skills
Your child’s ability to understand and use language shapes their experience with books. Early on, they may rely on pictures and simple words, while later, they’ll follow more complex plots and predict events. Choosing books that match their language level helps keep them engaged and supports their development.

Link to our blog about language development in the first 5 years – https://www.cooeespeech.com.au/2025/02/language-development-in-the-first-5-years 

Sensory Processing
Sensory processing affects how children respond to their environment. If your child struggles with sensory regulation, they may find it harder to focus during book reading. Adjusting the sensory environment can help them feel calm and ready to engage.

Link to our blog about Sensory Processinghttps://www.cooeespeech.com.au/2025/01/what-is-sensory-processing-2 

Postural Control
Sitting upright for a story requires postural stability. If this is challenging, your child may appear restless or struggle to focus because they’re using energy to maintain their posture. Providing physical support, like reading in a comfortable position, can help.

Link to our blog about Postural Control: https://www.cooeespeech.com.au/2024/08/what-is-postural-control-and-why-is-it-so-important 

Executive Functioning & Attention
Skills like memory, focus, and emotional control are essential for following a storyline and staying engaged. If your child has difficulty with these skills, they may need extra support to maintain attention during reading.

Try some of these next time you read with your child 

Focus on connection 

• Be present with your child
• Facilitate moments of closeness and touch
• Change the book to include your child’s name or places you go together

Include your child

• Ask them to make predictions about what will happen next in the story
• Invite them to make sound effects or choose voices for the characters
• Hunt for characters or objects on the pages
• Ask them to turn the pages or hold the book

Use special interests

• Read books they enjoy – even if it’s for the 100th time! 
• Explore fiction (stories) and non-fiction (factual) books on topics they like
• Weave the story or themes into play after reading 

Bring the story to life

• Use character voices and sound effects 
• Use your voice and face to show emotion or set the mood

• Use puppets or dress ups while reading
• Model and act out play scenes based on book storylines
• Set up themed play activities based on books 

Support sensory needs 

• Set up the sensory environment by considering what sensory elements make your child feel engaged and ready to learn
• Book reading doesn’t have to mean sitting down in one spot until the book is over! Provide opportunities for your child to move, if that’s what they need 
• Add different sensory elements into book reading to support your child’s engagement

Every child engages with books in their own way. By understanding their needs and using strategies that match their development, you can make shared reading an enjoyable and meaningful experience. The goal is to build positive reading habits that support language growth, comprehension, and a lifelong love of books.

Written May 2025 by Speech Pathologist Tess Marson & Occupational Therapist Kiara Moodley