Why interactive books are so good for babies… and adults!

Our Writer in Residence, Camilla Reid, shares the many benefits of books for babies. 

What is an interactive book? 

Most very little children will love the experience of cuddling up and having a gentle story read to them before bedtime. They may sit back and look at the pictures whilst listening to the sound of your voice as you read the words – and this can be the perfect wind-down before they go to sleep. 

But as well as soothing, relaxing stories, it’s important that children have the chance to share a more dynamic and active reading experience in their baby months, too – something that’svery different from those quiet bedtime stories. That’s because play is so important for a child’s development – it’s how they discover the world and learn how it works – and they need to do LOADS of it when they’re tiny. Play is literally how they build their brains! 

Usually made from robust board, with either card or felt flaps to discover, buttons to press, sliders and wheels to manipulate orperhaps even embedded textures and mirrors to explore, interactive books are a super-rich form of play because as well as having words and images, they invite a child to participate in the story and have agency within it. 

Why are interactive books so good for babies? 

So, whether the two of you are looking for hidden characters (like in Where’s Spot? or Dear Zoo) or helping other characters travel through the story (like in The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Fox’s Socks), the child reader comes to understand very quickly that the book needs them – that the story only works if they lift the flap, or move the tab–and this gives the reading experience much moremeaning and resonance for them when they’re tiny. 

Interactive books stimulate the baby brain in multiple different ways, developing their emerging speech and language skills, their focus, their concentration, their sense of logic and reasoning – and a little later, their social and emotional skills, too. In many ways an interactive book is like going to the gym for the baby brain, but asuper-fun and easy gym! If only all gyms were like that! 

Why are they so good for YOU? 

As a parent or carer, sharing an interactive book with a baby can be hugely rewarding. It’s a chance to see your child exploring and learning, to show off new skills– so you can take pride in their progress anddelight in how smart they are!  

Humans bond with each other through shared experiences – which build trust, empathy and shared memories –and because sharing a book islike going on a mini adventure, we can use books to deeply connect with our little ones every day. The effect of regularly bonding in this way is to make both adult and child feel happier and more relaxed – and I’m sure that’s why many parents tell me that reading together is their favourite moment of the day. 

What are the wider, and long-term benefits? 

 At a time when we’re all concerned about screen-use, especially in children, it’s more important than ever that we find a substitute to devices for entertainment – and interactive books provide a really good alternative to screens because they’re so hands-on and fun. 

Sharing books in the early years has a magical effect on a child’s development and wellbeing but, for the magic to keep working, it’s really important to keep doing it. So make it a regular habit – daily if you can.  

If I have one piece of advice to pass onto parents and carers, it would be to keep sharing books throughout the primary school years. It’s hugely helpful for your child’s school reading (which can be really hard, so they need to read fun stuff with you to encourage them to persist with their learning) and, coming back to those shared experiences, it’s absolutely fantastic for your relationship, too! 

Happy reading!