{
  "title": "The benefits of reading to children: a complete guide",
  "url": "https://materlu.com/en/knowledge/guides/benefits-of-reading-to-children/",
  "inLanguage": "en",
  "updated": "2026-07-12",
  "tables": [
    {
      "caption": "Reading-aloud approach by age",
      "columns": [
        "Age",
        "What helps most",
        "Book style"
      ],
      "rows": [
        [
          "0–1",
          "Voice, rhythm and closeness matter more than the words",
          "Sturdy board books, high-contrast images"
        ],
        [
          "1–3",
          "Point, name, repeat; let them turn pages",
          "Simple stories, repetition, familiar objects"
        ],
        [
          "3–5",
          "Ask 'what happens next?', link stories to their life",
          "Picture books with a clear narrative"
        ],
        [
          "5–7",
          "Take turns reading, talk about characters' feelings",
          "Early readers and richer picture books"
        ],
        [
          "7+",
          "Keep reading aloud above their own reading level",
          "Chapter books, non-fiction they love"
        ]
      ]
    }
  ],
  "charts": []
}