Audiobooks can give a child access to stories, vocabulary and ideas beyond the books they can currently read alone. Listening supports language and knowledge, while separate manageable reading continues to build word-reading skill.

Choose for age and interest

Select a story or non-fiction book your child wants to hear. Listen together, with the printed book available if following the text feels comfortable.

Stop at a natural point rather than after every page. Ask one simple prompt, such as:

• “What was the most important thing that happened?”

• “Why do you think the character did that?”

• “Was there a new word you liked?”

Accept a brief conversation. The aim is shared understanding and enjoyment, not testing recall.

If the language becomes confusing, explain one essential word or idea and continue. Do not interrupt so frequently that the story loses its momentum.

Your local library may provide free digital audiobooks through a service such as BorrowBox or Libby; availability differs by area.

If your child prefers facts to stories, free podcasts can do a similar job. But Why and Brains On! answer questions sent in by children about science and the world. Both are American and free to listen to on podcast apps.

Talamo has no commercial relationship with any of the organisations named here. We suggest them only because we think they could be useful to families.