Why We Tell Stories to Babies—Even When They Don’t Understand the Words

You cradle your baby in your arms, open a picture book, and begin to read:“Once upon a time…”They look at you wide-eyed, or maybe they wriggle, or seem to pay no attention at all.

You wonder—do they even understand what I’m saying?

Here’s the beautiful truth: they don’t need to understand the words to receive the gift.

Long before babies understand language, they understand rhythm, tone, and presence. Your voice is their first instrument, their first comfort, their first bridge to the world. When you read or tell stories, you’re not just communicating with words—you’re offering connection. That moment of shared attention, of gentle speaking and close holding, is where love and learning meet.

Every time you read a story or sing a lullaby, you’re helping your baby build the foundation for language. They’re absorbing sounds, speech patterns, and emotional tones. Their brain is lighting up, mapping the music of human communication. Later, when they begin to speak, you’ll see the seeds you planted start to bloom.

Babies love hearing the same story again and again. While adults may get bored, babies thrive on repetition. It helps them recognize sounds, anticipate what’s coming next, and feel safe in the predictability of the story. Familiar tales become little anchors in their ever-expanding world.

Perhaps the most important reason to tell stories to babies is this: you are the storyteller. Your voice, your expression, your loving attention—that’s what they truly respond to. Long before they follow a plot, they feel the security and joy of being with you in a shared moment.

Even if your baby seems too young to understand, keep telling the stories. Make it part of your daily rhythm—after a nap, during a diaper change, before bedtime. Choose simple, gentle tales. Repeat favorite lines. Let your voice rise and fall like waves.

Because every story you tell says: You are loved. You are safe. The world is full of wonder.

Photo by Boston Public Library on Unsplash