Why is reading aloud so important for your child’s language development?

Some children’s books look pretty worn out after a few years.

The cover is half falling off, there’s a mysterious stain somewhere on page twelve, and you can recite some of the sentences by heart.

And yet… your child comes running over with exactly that same book again.

“This one!”

And you might sometimes think: Not that one again…

But actually, that well-loved, slightly battered book is something quite special. Because reading aloud to children is about so much more than simply reading a story together.

Reading aloud helps children develop their vocabulary, language skills, reading comprehension and, perhaps most importantly, their love of books.

And for children growing up abroad, reading aloud can be even more valuable. It is such a natural way to help your child develop and maintain their Dutch, especially when they hear another language at school and in everyday life.

When you read aloud, you share a little bit of yourself

As a parent, you are usually the one choosing which books come into your home, especially when your children are still young.

And without really thinking about it, those choices say something about you too.

Maybe you love funny picture books. Perhaps you enjoy fairy tales and fantasy stories. Maybe you like stories from different countries and cultures. Or perhaps you are much more interested in animals, nature, history or science.

I once spoke to a parent who told me that the dad in their family almost always read non-fiction books to their son.

Even when he was very young.

Books about nature, space and planets.

I loved that.

Because when we think about reading to young children, we quickly imagine fairy tales, princesses, castles and frog princes.

But why?

If you are fascinated by planets, then please read about planets!

Your child will feel your enthusiasm. You’ll probably linger over a page a little longer, tell them something extra, ask a question or suddenly say:

“Wow, look at this!”

And that is when reading becomes something you genuinely enjoy together.

Children develop their own taste in books

Slowly, your child will start making their own choices.

At first, they might choose a book because of the colourful cover or a funny picture. Later, they begin to discover which kinds of stories they actually enjoy.

“I want this one!”

And gradually, their own taste in books starts to develop.

One child wants a funny story every night. Another could listen to stories about animals forever. Someone else only wants knights, football, horses, planets or exciting adventures.

That is why I love having different kinds of books around and discovering together:

What does my child actually enjoy reading?

And yes, sometimes that means reading the same book fifteen times.

That’s absolutely fine.

Why is reading the same book again and again good for language development?

Children love repetition.

And when it comes to children’s language development, repetition is incredibly valuable.

The first time you read a story, your child is mainly listening to what happens.

The next time, they start recognising parts of the story.

After that, they begin remembering certain words and sentences.

And eventually, they might even finish the sentences for you.

Without turning reading time into a “Dutch lesson”, your child is learning an enormous amount.

New words. Beautiful sentences. Expressions. How stories are structured. How you describe something. How the same words can be used in different situations.

For children who are learning Dutch while living abroad, this repetition can be particularly helpful. They simply hear much less Dutch during the day than children growing up in the Netherlands or Belgium.

So your child wants their favourite Dutch book for the fifteenth time?

Go for it.

Reading aloud helps build your child’s Dutch vocabulary

If you live abroad, you might already speak Dutch with your child at home.

That is wonderful.

But without realising it, we tend to use the same kind of language during everyday family life.

“Put your shoes on.”

“Have you brushed your teeth?”

“Get your bag.”

“What would you like on your sandwich?”

“How was school?”

Important Dutch, of course!

But books introduce children to a completely different kind of language.

A character creeps down a dark hallway.

Someone is astonished.

A boat bobs on the water.

A girl hesitates before answering.

Those aren’t necessarily words you use around the dinner table on a random Tuesday evening.

By reading Dutch books aloud, you naturally help expand your child’s Dutch vocabulary.

Your child also hears longer and more complex sentences than they might hear in everyday conversation. They discover new expressions and start to understand how stories and texts are structured.

That strong language foundation will later help with independent reading, writing and reading comprehension too.

Reading Dutch books when you live abroad

For Dutch and Flemish families living abroad, reading aloud has another important role.

Your child might hear English, Spanish, French, German or another language for most of the day.

At school, during sports and when playing with friends, Dutch may hardly be present at all.

That makes those little moments at home even more important.

Reading a Dutch book together before bedtime isn’t only cosy. It gives your child a chance to listen to rich Dutch language for a longer period of time.

And in a way, you are bringing a little piece of the Netherlands or Belgium into your home every evening.

No matter where in the world that home happens to be.

Your mother tongue is the language of your heart

There is something else I think is very important:

Try to read plenty of books in the language that feels most natural to you.

Your mother tongue is often the language in which your jokes work best. It’s the language in which you know exactly how to make something sound funny, sweet, angry or exciting.

You know the expressions, sayings and tiny nuances.

You can do silly voices. Improvise. Add something to the story. Suddenly tell your child about something you remember from your own childhood.

That is language development too.

And perhaps even more importantly, it is connection.

For many Dutch families living abroad, there is another layer to this.

Dutch isn’t simply a language you want your child to learn.

It may be the language they use with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. The language they hear during holidays in the Netherlands or Belgium. And perhaps the language they will need if your family decides to move back one day.

A Dutch book can therefore become a tiny piece of home.

Wherever in the world you live.

Can you read to your child in a language that isn’t your mother tongue?

Of course.

I sometimes read English books to my own children, for example. English isn’t my mother tongue, but I speak it well and my children learn from hearing it too.

The same applies the other way around.

Perhaps Dutch isn’t your first language, but you would still like your child to learn Dutch. If you feel comfortable reading Dutch, you can absolutely pick up a Dutch children’s book and read it together.

Just don’t make it feel like an obligation.

Keep talking, telling stories and reading books in the language in which you feel most at home too. A strong first language provides a wonderful foundation for learning other languages.

Being multilingual doesn’t have to mean choosing one language over another.

There is room for all of them.

And the books just keep getting better…

One of the things I love about children getting older is that the books grow with them.

You start with picture books. I absolutely love Rachel Bright’s books, for example. They are proper children’s picture books, but they are so funny that as a parent you find yourself laughing along too.

And then, slowly, you move on to longer stories.

And I have to admit: I can’t wait until we reach books like Harry Potter.

That is when reading aloud becomes something you can completely lose yourself in as a parent too.

Perhaps that is one of the most important things we can teach our children about reading:

Books aren’t only something you have to do for school.

A book can be funny. Exciting. Comforting. Interesting. Silly. Beautiful.

Something you genuinely look forward to enjoying together.

Helping your child continue learning Dutch while living abroad

For children living in the Netherlands, Dutch is everywhere.

At school, on the street, with friends, in the supermarket and at their sports club.

For a Dutch-speaking child growing up in Dubai, London, New York, Barcelona, Singapore or somewhere else in the world, that is obviously very different.

Speaking Dutch at home and regularly reading Dutch books together are therefore two of the best things you can do to keep the Dutch language alive.

But sometimes, despite all of that, you may notice that your child’s Dutch is starting to fall behind.

Perhaps they speak Dutch perfectly well around the dinner table, but their Dutch vocabulary is smaller than that of children their age in the Netherlands.

Reading and spelling might be more difficult.

Or perhaps you are planning to return to the Netherlands in a few years and you are wondering whether your child will be able to keep up at school.

That is when some extra support can make a real difference.

At Dutch for Kids, we provide online Dutch lessons for children living abroad. Our teachers work one-to-one with children, at a level and pace that suits them.

During our online Dutch lessons for children, we work on areas such as vocabulary, reading, spelling, grammar and reading comprehension.

This means your child can continue developing their Dutch, even when you live thousands of kilometres away from the Netherlands or Belgium.

And in the meantime?

Keep reading aloud.

Even that book with the broken cover.

Especially that book. ❤️

Frequently asked questions about reading aloud and learning Dutch

Why is reading aloud important for children?

Reading aloud helps children learn new words, understand longer sentences and develop a natural feel for language. It also encourages a love of reading and supports skills they will later need for independent reading and reading comprehension.

Why is reading aloud especially important for children living abroad?

Children living abroad often hear less Dutch in their everyday lives. By regularly reading Dutch books together, you expose your child to additional Dutch vocabulary, sentence structures and expressions in a natural and enjoyable way.

How often should I read to my child?

It doesn’t have to become a big activity. Even regularly spending ten or fifteen minutes reading together can become a lovely part of your routine. The most important thing is to keep reading relaxed and enjoyable.

Is it good to read the same book over and over again?

Yes! Repetition helps children recognise words and sentences. Each time they hear the story, they understand a little more and eventually they may even start predicting or completing parts of the text themselves.

Can I read Dutch books if Dutch isn’t my first language?

Absolutely. If you feel comfortable reading in Dutch, you can certainly read Dutch books with your child. At the same time, continue talking and reading in the language that feels most natural to you as well.

How can my child continue learning Dutch while living abroad?

Speak Dutch regularly at home, read Dutch books together, listen to Dutch stories and give your child opportunities to actively use the language. If your child needs additional support with areas such as reading, spelling, vocabulary or reading comprehension, online Dutch lessons can help them continue developing their Dutch.