Should You Listen to Audiobooks With Your Kids or Let Them Enjoy Stories Alone?

Listening Together or Going Solo: What’s Best for Your Child?

You're busy. Maybe dinner’s still on the stove, your inbox is overflowing, and your child—who’s just trudged through another draining school day—is craving connection or calm. You sit down together to listen to a story. Or maybe you hand them some headphones, letting them unwind on their own. It’s a small choice in the moment, but it can shape how your child experiences stories, self-regulates, or finds comfort after a challenging day.

So, what’s better: listening to audiobooks as a family or encouraging solo listening? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but understanding what each moment offers can help you find your rhythm.

The Power of Shared Listening

When you sit with your child and listen to a story together—even if you’re both quietly staring at the ceiling—it becomes more than just entertainment. It’s an act of bonding. Your child feels seen, and even more importantly, accompanied.

For kids aged 6 to 12, listening together can become a gentle routine after a particularly difficult day at school. Many children in this age range struggle with winding down at night, especially when school-related stress is in the background. Storytime shared with a parent can help to soften those feelings of worry.

Listening together also opens up space for small but meaningful conversations. A puzzled look, a giggle, or even a pause to ask, “What would you have done in that situation?” can create a richer emotional experience and deepen your parent-child connection.

It doesn’t have to be a long nightly ritual—ten to fifteen minutes is plenty. What matters most is the sense of presence. When you’re there, storytime becomes safe and soothing.

When Listening Alone Can Be Just What They Need

On the flip side, especially as children grow older, solo listening offers another helpful kind of nourishment: independence and internal reflection. Some kids, particularly those with learning difficulties or social anxiety, use solo audiobook time to retreat, self-soothe, or process the day on their own terms.

If your child is feeling overwhelmed, tuning into a favorite audio series with headphones might actually help them regulate their emotions without needing the added pressure of interaction. Audio stories can comfort children through fears gently and privately, offering a sense of safety and control.

For children who are already independent readers but feel discouraged or burnt out by traditional school reading expectations, substituting or supplementing with audiobooks can reduce the pressure. Listening alone becomes a tool for feelings of competence—especially when they can engage with stories at their own pace, free from performance expectations.

So, When Should You Choose Which?

Think of shared and solo listening not as opposing actions, but as tools in your parenting toolkit. Here are a few ways to decide what might fit best in the moment:

• After a big day at school: Listening together helps children feel safe, seen, and loved.
• Before bedtime: Many families find it soothing to use gentle audio stories to wind down the entire household—solo or together, depending on mood.
• During independent playtime or transitions: Solo listening encourages autonomy and can soften moments of restlessness.
• For reluctant readers: Alternating between reading and listening formats can boost confidence. You can explore tips on finding the right blend of formats here.

It’s also okay to experiment. Some kids thrive on routine, while others like the flexibility of changing things up. Often, just asking them—“Would you like to listen together or on your own today?”—can be empowering.

Choosing the Right Stories Matters

Whether you’re listening quietly together or handing over headphones, the stories themselves matter deeply. Children aged 6 to 12 are navigating the messy middle years—the stage where emotions run high, identities begin to form, and learning challenges start to surface more clearly.

That’s where quality storytelling shines. Audiobooks designed specifically for this age group—stories that reflect their experiences, challenges, and sense of humor—can validate feelings, model resilience, and offer joy.

The iOS and Android app LISN Kids offers original audiobooks and immersive audio series tailored for kids aged 3–12. With a growing collection of stories covering themes like bravery, friendship, and emotional regulation, it’s a helpful resource whether you’re looking to foster connection or give your child space to explore stories on their own.

At the Heart of It All: Presence

In the end, the goal isn’t to pick one way of listening and stick to it religiously—it’s to stay present to your child’s needs in the moment. Are they looking for a shared, warm pause in the day? Or do they need a little space to decompress in their own bubble?

Some days will call for togetherness. Others, for independence. But both kinds of listening remind your child that stories—and the pause they offer from a loud and demanding world—are always within reach.

And as your child enters their later elementary years, stories also become an important way to practice empathy, problem-solving, and resilience. You can learn more about how storytelling shapes older children in this article on the power of storytelling for 10 to 12 year olds.

Shared or solo, headphones in or snuggled up side by side—what matters most is this: the stories are there, waiting, with a gentle place to land. And so are you.