Reading To Your 1- and 2-Year Olds Aids Their Vocabulary–Study Says

Learning vocabulary is a fundamental skill for infants as they grow into toddlers and gradually, into school-aged children. Infants primarily learn new words from their environment through interactions with parents, caregivers, and siblings. The quality and quantity of language exposure during the early years are crucial to building strong language skills.

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As stated in Speech and Language Developmental Milestones, “The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others…If these critical periods are allowed to pass without exposure to language, it will be more difficult to learn.”

The results showed that 1- and 2-year-olds who were read to frequently had larger vocabularies than their peers...However, among 2-year-olds, vocabulary size decreased as screen time increased. - University of Oslo

Key findings of the Norweigan study

Published by Cambridge University Press on September 20, 2024 a study conducted by a research team from the University of Oslo surveyed parents of 1,442 Norwegian toddlers aged 1 and 2 to find out how many words their children could say or understand. Parents also provided information on how often they read to their toddlers and the amount of daily screen time the children had.

The results showed that 1- and 2-year-olds who were read to frequently had larger vocabularies than their peers. The language richness of books, coupled with the interactive nature of reading, greatly aided in expanding a child’s vocabulary. However, among 2-year-olds, vocabulary size decreased as screen time increased. The lack of social interaction during screen time may also explain this difference.

"As predicted, shared book reading was positively associated with vocabulary size, both for 24-month-olds’ expressive vocabulary, and 12-month-olds’ expressive and receptive vocabularies," the study finds. It adds, "Daily screen time was, as predicted, negatively associated with 24-month-olds’ expressive vocabulary, that is, 24-month-olds who spent more time with screens each day had smaller vocabulary sizes."

Shared Book Reading and Its Impact on Vocabulary

Shared book reading, where parents or caregivers read aloud to infants and young children, is one of the most effective ways to boost vocabulary development. Through this activity, infants are introduced to a wide range of language that they may not encounter in daily conversations. Books typically contain more advanced vocabulary, and reading sessions allow children to hear new words in meaningful contexts.

Additionally, shared book reading creates an interactive environment where caregivers can ask questions, point to pictures, or expound on the text, encouraging active participation from the child. These interactions strengthen word learning and comprehension, helping build early literacy skills.

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Screen Time and Its Potential Effects on Vocabulary

With the increasing use of smartphones, tablets, and televisions, concerns have arisen about how screen time impacts vocabulary development in young children. Excessive screen time, especially passive consumption, tends to reduce face-to-face interactions, which are key to developing language and communication skills.

While some educational apps and programs claim to promote vocabulary development, research suggests that too much screen time can limit real-world language exposure and interaction. Passive screen time, in particular, offers fewer opportunities for back-and-forth exchanges—essential for language learning. Some studies indicate that higher screen time is associated with delays in vocabulary development.

Here Are Reasons Why You Should Start Reading To Your Kids 

According to ReadingRockets.org, ”Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about.” Below are the benefits of reading aloud according to their site.

7 Benefits of Reading Aloud

1. Early Literacy Skills. Regularly reading aloud to children significantly boosts early literacy skills, such as recognizing letters, rhyming, and phonemic awareness (understanding the sounds in spoken words). These foundational skills are essential for developing strong reading abilities in the future. 

2. Fosters Language and Literacy development. Books introduce children to rich vocabulary and language structures that they may not encounter in day-to-day verbal exchange. Hearing new words and phrases helps expand their vocabulary and teaches them how to use language effectively. Reading aloud also enhances comprehension skills eventually, such as understanding story structure and characters' actions, and developing the ability to infer and predict.

3. Builds background knowledge. Reading various genres—fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more—exposes children to diverse topics, expanding their understanding of the world. When they're older, you can engage them in discussions to encourage curiosity and lifelong learning, prompting exploration of new ideas through further reading, research, and real-world experiences.

4. Provides them with “windows and mirrors”. Books offer a view, through a 'window' into different cultures, experiences, and historical contexts, fostering empathy and broadening children’s worldview. They also allow children to see themselves reflected, through a 'mirror,' in characters, which promotes self-esteem and a deeper connection to the stories.

5. Nurtures a love for reading. Reading aloud from a young age fosters a lifelong love of reading by associating books (and shared book reading) with positive emotions and experiences. As children grow, they will likely continue to enjoy reading, diving into real and imaginary worlds, meeting fascinating characters, and learning new things.

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6. Promotes Social-Emotional development. Through stories that explore friendship, emotions, and problem-solving, reading aloud helps children develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution skills. Conversations about the stories can help children better understand their emotions and learn to interact positively with others.

7. Strengthens family bonds. Reading aloud creates special moments between parents and children, offering opportunities to snuggle up and share a story. For older kids, it fosters open communication, allowing families to discuss the book, share thoughts, and ask questions, deepening their connection.

Does reading a book over and over again would make your child smarter? Find out here!