The Boy Who Read
A Pediatrician on the Magic of Reading
TANNER DUNCAN, D.O. pediatrician, Canyon Medical Group
As a newly minted pediatrician, my favorite tidbit of guidance for new parents is this: read to your baby from day one. While your baby can't tell you, those first board books shape your child's rapidly developing brain in magical ways.
For me, it's profoundly personal. I'm a voracious reader who has read the Harry Potter series (amongst other books) more than Sox and even won three Harry Potter trivia competitions (yes, I know that Dumbledore's full name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, and yes, I'm a massive nerd). My love of reading is easily attributable to my parents. Now, as a parent of two, I've continued this tradition with my boys and have seen them forge that same magical connection.
BENEFIT #1: BOOSTS BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
From 0 to 3, a child's brain growth is explosive, forming trillions of new neural pathways. Exposing your baby or toddler to the different sounds, rhythms, and patterns of books and stories supports this critical development.
Research consistently shows that children who are read to regularly have increased activity in brain areas supporting language and literacy. Babies absorb the back-and-forth nature of conversation and the cadence of speech before they can even understand individual words. This early exposure helps wire the brain for future learning, giving children a cognitive advantage that extends far beyond reading itself. Consider each story a spell that helps conjure new neural connections; it's a powerful magic trick in parenting.
BENEFIT #2: BUILDS LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
By kindergarten, there can be a significant gap in vocabulary between those who were read to regularly and those who weren't. We may not realize it, but reading exposes kids to thousands of new vocabulary words versus a few hundred in our daily speech.
But it's not just about word count. Reading together teaches children the mechanics of communication, i.e., how conversations flow, how to take turns, ask questions, and listen to answers. When you pause to point at pictures, make silly voices, or ask "Where's the puppy?", you're modeling interactive communication.
BENEFIT #3: SUPPORTS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH
The impact on social and emotional development is underrated. Reading with your kiddo creates "positive childhood experiences" (PCEs). PCEs build resilience and buffer against the stresses of life.
Stories introduce children to different emotions, helping them develop empathy as they learn about characters who feel sad, excited, scared, or proud. Books are a safe way to explore big feelings and new situations, from going to the dentist, starting school, or meeting a new baby in the family.
Kids crave stability, rituals, and routines. Having something positive and cherished to lean on can help kids weather big changes in life. Reading together consistently creates frequent moments of literal closeness and emotional security. Whether it's nightly bedtime stories or the weekly library visit, these moments create lasting bonds and communicate to children that they are valued and loved.
START TODAY
The good news is that it's never too late to start, and you don't need special books or perfect technique; you just need consistency and those precious minutes of undivided attention.
I get it, books are expensive. Get familiar with your local public library — I wouldn't be surprised if I still owe some late fees on my childhood North Logan Library card. There are thousands of books to borrow, story times, and early literacy programs. Some libraries even have free book programs. If you're crunched for time and can't make it to the library, storytelling costs nothing. Create adventures with your child as the main character, tell them stories from your childhood, or tell them the subplot to every fantasy and sci-fi movie you've ever seen. The magic isn't in having the perfect book — it's the shared time and the sound of your voice.
As someone who's lived the journey from being read to, to reading obsessively, to now reading to my own children, I can tell you it works. So, crack open a book and watch the magic unfold.
