Reading is the foundation of learning and curiosity. A guide for parents and educators on building reading skills—from storytime routines to comprehension and how reading supports other traits.
Reading is much more than recognizing words on a page, it is the foundation of a child's academic achievement, emotional development, and lifelong curiosity. Decades of research show that children who build strong reading skills early on not only perform better in school, but also think more critically, communicate more clearly, and adapt more confidently to new challenges.
In this article, we explore the key traits that influence a child's reading proficiency and what makes a reader truly "capable." More importantly, we guide parents and educators on how to nurture these essential traits through practical habits and daily routines. By understanding these foundations, you can help your child grow into a confident, motivated, and lifelong reader.
Reading skill refers to a child's ability to recognise, process, and understand written text. It involves multiple cognitive processes, including decoding words, understanding vocabulary, interpreting meaning, and connecting ideas. Strong reading skill enables children to absorb information effectively, learn independently, and engage with a wide range of academic and real-world content.
In early childhood, reading skill serves as a fundamental building block for overall development. Children who develop strong reading abilities tend to show higher academic achievement, better emotional expression, and stronger thinking skills as they grow.
i. Establish a regular storytime routine
For children who have not yet learned to read independently, a consistent shared reading time (for example nightly or daily) helps them internalize the value of reading and builds early familiarity with language, rhythm, vocabulary, and story structure. Evidence shows that shared reading between caregiver/teacher and child significantly supports emergent literacy, comprehension, and language development (Bowers et al., 2018; Haber & Kumar, 2025).
ii. Use simple, age-appropriate reading materials and interactive tools.
Early reading modules or tools, such as picture books, reading cards, or song-based learning modules have been shown to effectively support preschool children in developing basic reading skills (Sabin et al., 2019).
For visual and interactive formats, see Parent: 'My child should avoid watching too many cartoons.' Do You Know the Uses of Cartoons in Childhood Education?.
iii. Employ repeated reading to reinforce comprehension and retention.
Research on children in preschool shows that repeated reading, going over the same text multiple times, improves their ability to understand, recall, and retell stories in their own words (Isa & Husin, 2012).
iv. If interest is low, explore different genres or formats.
Not all children respond the same way to every type of text. Exposing them to a variety of reading formats (fiction, simple narrative, picture-based, interactive reading cards, songs) can help you discover what engages them which can spark motivation to read and learn.
Once a child begins reading independently, parents and educators can shift focus from establishing skill to deepening comprehension, critical thinking, and lifelong reading habits.
i. Offer a variety of reading materials
Exposure to diverse reading material expands vocabulary, general knowledge, and comprehension skills. It allows the child to encounter different styles of writing, genres, concepts, and worlds. Selecting age-appropriate but slightly challenging materials helps stimulate growth without overwhelming them (Haber & Kumar, 2025; Rashidi et al., 2025).
ii. Engage in book discussions
Discussion helps children make sense of what they read, reflect on content, interpret meaning, draw inferences, and apply critical thinking. To support this, parents can guide their child's thinking with simple reflective questions. For example, you can ask…
"What do you think this phrase means?"
"Why do you think the character did that?"
"What do you think will happen next?"
These small prompts encourage children to pause, interpret, and think beyond the surface of the text. Research shows that strategies like making inferences significantly improve reading comprehension and overall understanding (Bowers et al., 2018; Hoon & Embros, 2020).
iii. Encourage interactive or technology-enhanced reading when appropriate.
In recent years, some studies found that interactive, web-based reading materials can boost children's comprehension compared to conventional reading, especially when such materials are well designed and age-appropriate (Hussin & Mohd Basir, 2024; Ayob, 2017).
iv. Use reading modules or guided reading tools, especially in early schooling years.
Systematic reviews have shown that structured reading-skills modules — ideally varied in method and creative content — significantly support reading mastery among preschool and early school-age children (Hussin & Mohd Basir, 2024).
v. Nurture a love of reading
When children read for pleasure (not just for academic purposes), they tend to read more widely, more often, and with greater interest and this correlates with greater long-term academic success, emotional intelligence, and lifelong learning habits (Bowers et al., 2018).
Reading skill is a foundational learning ability that actively improves and enhances other traits in your child. By understanding how it interacts with these abilities, parents and educators can identify areas for growth, provide targeted support, and build habits that turn reading skill into a tool to support the development of other traits.
i. Academic Learning
Children with strong reading skills often demonstrate enhanced academic performance. Reading allows them to access and process information across subjects, improving comprehension and knowledge retention. This combination fosters an ability to learn independently and apply knowledge effectively in school and everyday life.
Example: A child who reads fluently can grasp concepts in science or history more quickly, enhancing overall learning outcomes.
ii. Language
Children with strong language abilities can decode, interpret, and apply complex vocabulary when reading. This combination supports learning multiple languages, expanding comprehension, and facilitating communication skills.
Example: A child learning a second language can leverage reading to acquire vocabulary and grammar more efficiently.
iii. Verbal Intelligence
Verbal intelligence allows children to understand, analyze, and synthesize written text effectively. When combined with solid reading skills, it enables them to engage with more challenging texts, draw inferences, and critically evaluate content. Example: A child with high verbal intelligence may read a story and not only understand the plot but also discuss themes, character motivations, and moral lessons. See Understanding Verbal Intelligence, Why Does My Child Struggle To Remember What I Just Said?, How to Improve Attention in Children, and Are Some People Born to Remember More? The Genetics of Long-Term Memory.
Reading skill is more than an academic ability, it is a doorway to curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning. When children read with understanding, interest, and purpose, they develop stronger thinking skills, richer language abilities, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
By supporting their reading foundations early, you're giving them one of the greatest tools for future success. Every child has a unique learning profile shaped by their natural cognitive strengths, language abilities, and emotional traits. When you understand these traits, you can guide your child with clarity, intention, and confidence, helping them grow not just as readers, but as learners.
The DTDT (Decode Talent DNA Test) helps uncover these foundational traits, including reading skill, verbal intelligence, attention, memory, and emotional tendencies. With this insight, parents and educators can provide targeted support, tailor learning environments, and nurture a child's full potential. To discover your child's unique learning strengths and supportive traits, explore Absolute Genetic Technologies' Decode Talent DNA Test (DTDT) today and take the first step toward understanding how they learn, grow, and thrive.
Bowers, K., Howard, V., & Brown, A. (2018). Storytime in a Box: The cooperative approach to preschool storytime planning. https://www.journals.ala.org/index.php/cal/article/view/6590/8790
Haber, A. S., & Kumar, S. C. (2025). Reimagining science learning in early childhood through storybook reading. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15101361
Hussin, M. N., & Mohd Basir, J. (2024). Keberkesanan pembangunan modul kemahiran membaca kanak-kanak prasekolah. https://doi.org/10.37134/jpak.vol13.1.10.2024
Isa, Z. M., & Husin, N. F. C. (2012). Effects of repeated reading towards understanding of kindergarten children. https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/JPAK/article/view/750
Rashidi, N. H., Samsudin, N. H., & Mohd Nasir, N. Y. (2025). Analisis kandungan bahan bacaan untuk pembelajaran Kemahiran Asas Membaca Bahasa Melayu. https://doi.org/10.37134/pendeta.vol16.1.13.2025
Sabin, H., Pang, V., & Bullare@Bahari, M. I. (2019). Preschool Early Reading Module Using Songs. https://doi.org/10.17576/jpen-2019-44.01-06