Reading to Your 1-2 Year Old Boosts Vocabulary, New Study Finds

After a long day of work and caring for your little one, it can be challenging to carve out some reading time before bed. However, a new study reveals that the benefits of reading to your child can extend well beyond bedtime.

A recent study conducted by the University of Oslo explored the effects of reading and screen time on the developing vocabulary of one- and two-year-olds. For this research, the team engaged with the parents of 1,442 children in Norway, gathering insights about their daily reading habits and screen time. They then cross-referenced this data with the vocabulary comprehension of the children.

The findings indicated that children who were read to more often by a parent or caregiver exhibited a stronger vocabulary than their peers who were not. Furthermore, those who spent more time on screens had a smaller vocabulary by the age of two.

“These results demonstrate an association between activities and language development already in the early years of a child’s life and support general recommendations to read more and perhaps reduce screen time for young children,” said first author Audun Rosslund, a doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo in Norway.

Researchers emphasize that while the study does not definitively prove that books are superior to screen time for vocabulary building, it highlights a positive association between language development and shared reading experiences.

The researchers believe the positive effects of reading are two-fold: not only do children gain exposure to a rich diversity of words through books, but they also benefit from the meaningful interactions with their parent or caregiver. On the other hand, excessive screen time may limit opportunities for interactive activities like reading that are essential for fostering language development.

Want to read more with your little one? Check out these 10 best toddler busy books for learning and playing.