Encouraging a Love for Reading from an Early Age

One of the most rewarding moments as a preschool teacher is seeing a child become fully engaged with a book—turning pages, exploring pictures, and sharing their own ideas about the story. A love for reading begins not with learning words, but with positive and enjoyable experiences around books.

When reading is part of a daily routine, children begin to associate books with comfort, connection, and calm. Giving children the freedom to choose their own books also helps build curiosity and confidence, even if they return to the same favourite story again and again. At this age, reading is not about finishing a book or reading correctly; it is about enjoyment, imagination, and exploration.

Talking about stories together supports language development and thinking skills, while showing children that their ideas are valued. Children also learn by watching the adults around them—when they see parents and teachers enjoying reading, they begin to understand its importance in everyday life.

Creating a cozy reading space and celebrating stories through songs, storytelling, and play further encourages a love of books. By nurturing joyful reading experiences early on, we support not only literacy skills, but also imagination, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning.