Print vs. Ebooks for Toddlers: Which Is Better for Reading Time?

Well… yes and no.

 Instead of leaning in, listening, and turning pages with their parents, many children turned away or lost interest faster. 

Why engagement matters so much

Toddlers don’t just learn from listening to stories they learn from the back-and-forth interaction with you while reading. Experts at the Harvard Center on the Developing Child call this “serve and return.” When your child points at a picture and you respond, or when you ask them a question about the story and they answer, their brain is building strong connections that shape communication and social skills.

Reading isn’t the only way this happens, of course. Conversations at the dinner table, pretend play, or even singing songs together also spark the same kind of learning. But reading books is a natural way to encourage these moments and it also creates special bonding time between you and your child.

Why ebooks may not hold toddlers’ attention

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why print books tend to work better for little ones. It could be as simple as the sensory experience: toddlers love to touch, turn, and even smell books. Flipping real pages can be more exciting than tapping a screen.

It’s also worth noting that the study was small just 37 parent-child pairs with kids around 2.5 years old. A larger study with older children might find different results. But for now, the evidence points to print books being a little more engaging for the youngest readers.

So… which should you choose?

Here’s the truth: it matters less whether you’re reading a hardcover picture book or an ebook, and more that you’re reading at all. What counts is the time, connection, and interaction you build with your child.

If you want to get the most out of storytime, try these tips whether you’re using a print book or a tablet:

Make it interactive. "What do you anticipate will happen next?" is a question to pose to your youngster. "Is she looking joyful or depressed?"

Draw attention to certain things. Ask children to locate items in the drawings by asking, "Can you tell me where the dog is?" Authors like Eric Carle are great for this. Toddlers love to chime in when they know what’s coming next.

Share control. Let your child hold the book or turn the pages (even digital ones). It makes the experience feel more like theirs.

Final thought

When it comes to raising readers, there’s no one “perfect” format.A child may be more engaged with print books, but the most important thing is to have fun and have interesting reading experiences with them. Your child will remember the love and connection you share, whether you are reading an ebook before bed or cuddling together on the couch with a favorite picture book.