5 ways audiobooks can help children develop a buzz for reading

Audiobooks are becoming a popular way for children to engage with storytelling away from the traditional reading methods. In fact, in 2024 the National Literacy Trust found that two in five (42.3%) children and young people said they enjoyed listening to audio formats in their free time. 

With the alarming news that reading for enjoyment is at an all-time low, audiobooks are an opportunity to break down some of the barriers to reading that may exist with traditional storytelling – this can help children to immerse themselves in books and develop a buzz for reading. 

In this blog, we explore the benefits of audiobooks and how they can be used to build a buzz for reading in children. 

1. New vocabulary and expressive reading

Audiobooks model fluent reading and allow children to access stories they may not be able to read independently. Through audiobooks, children gain exposure to engaging stories and new vocabulary that they may not have been exposed to if they struggle with traditional texts. Hearing complex words can also help children to recognise words in texts as they increase and improve their vocabulary. 

Listening to audiobooks also help children to hear the letter patterns and understand how complex words are pronounced. This can help them to improve their reading fluency – the ability to read with proper speed, accuracy and expression. 

2. Improve engagement and stimulate imagination

While audiobooks can lack visual or tactile engagement, listening to stories can help stimulate imagination and improve focus in children. They allow children to practice visualising what’s happening in a story, encouraging them to imagine the settings and characters. 

Families and teachers can support this by asking children questions about the audiobook, like ​“how do you picture the characters?” or ​“if you were walking through the setting, what do you see, hear, smell or even taste?”. These questions encourage children to draw their own opinions about the text and prompt them to get creative with their answers. 

3. Support wellbeing

Audiobooks can be a great way for children to relax and wind down for the day, often being used while doing other things like having a bath or getting ready for bed. 

The National Literacy Trust also found that half of children and young people said listening to audio helped them feel relaxed or better when they were stressed or anxious. The act of listening to stories can provide a mental escape and a welcome distraction from anxieties – helping children relax. 

4. Develop empathy and emotional understanding

Like books, audiobooks are a great way for children to engage with diverse characters and situations, which can help them to develop empathy and emotional understanding. With this, children can explore meaningful topics in a more digestible and accessible way. 

5. Widen access to books and inspire a love for reading

Audiobooks can foster a love for reading by offering a more enjoyable and accessible experience. 

Children can access a large collection of titles through one device while on the go. They can be accessed through any device that supports audio streaming like computers, smartphones and tablets. This opens opportunities for new readers to discover a broader range of literature, which can motivate them to explore different book titles and genres. As a result, children can explore their interests and continue to develop their reader identities. 

Audiobooks are one of the service lines for our Literacy Partner Programme because of the wide benefits they bring to children who may otherwise be reluctant to read. They are brilliant ways for children of all reading abilities to engage with books and help schools to develop a whole-school reading culture. 

National Literacy Trust. ​‘Audiobooks and Literacy.’ National Literacy Trust, https://​lit​er​acytrust​.org​.uk/​i​n​f​o​r​m​a​t​i​o​n​/​w​h​a​t​-​i​s​-​l​i​t​e​r​a​c​y​/​a​u​d​i​o​b​o​o​k​s​-​a​n​d​-​l​i​t​e​racy/.