Question: I have seen research that says that audiobooks are just as good for you as reading your own books. However, there are now so many new audio players marketed to kids as "screen-free devices." What are the effects of using an audiobook or audio player (like a Yoto or Tonie box) on a child’s brain? 

 

Answer: It’s great to hear about your work supporting parents and your attention to current research! Audiobooks and audio players can be an engaging and accessible format for sharing stories with young children. While audiobooks and players lack the benefits of being read to by a caring adult – such as hearing the caregiver’s voice, snuggling, or the caregiver pausing to ask or answer questions, many families have been trying them as a screen alternative.   

Audio Players & Audiobooks: What are they, and how popular have they become? 

Screen-free audio players like the Yoto and Toniebox are devices specifically designed for young children to listen to stories, music, and educational content. The Toniebox allows children to choose which “book” or audio they listen to using different figurines (“Tonies”), while the Yoto works similarly with cards that are inserted into the box. 

We were unable to find research describing how many children use these audio players. Most of the available research is on audiobooks more broadly. In 2024, the National Literacy Trust reported a slight increase in children and teens ages 8-18 who enjoy listening to read-aloud content like audiobooks and podcasts (42.3% in 2024 vs 39.4% in 2023). According to that same report, more children and teens said they enjoy listening to audio than those who said they enjoy reading in their free time.  

Anecdotally, however, and based on sales, it seems that the Toniebox and Yoto are very popular among young children and their families. In fact, we have heard that some pediatricians use them as part of their clinical interactions with children. 

Effects of e-Books, Audiobooks, and Co-Reading on Children’s Understanding and Learning  

Although there is little research on audio players specifically, research on the benefits of audiobooks shows: 

  • Two in five (37.5%) children and teens aged 8-18 said listening to audio sparked their interest in reading physical books. Further, about half of children and teens said listening to audio enabled them to better understand a story or subject, made them use their imagination more than when watching videos, and helped them relax or feel better when they were stressed or anxious. 
  • One systematic review found that, for elementary-aged children in kindergarten through sixth grade, audiobooks can facilitate comprehension of a story or educational material better than print books. This review also suggests that listening to an audiobook while reading a print copy of the same book at the same time may be useful for struggling readers or those who are learning English as a second language. However, later research found that reading along while listening may only provide a small benefit, and the research is too limited to conclude whether it's truly beneficial for second language learners. 
  • Another study compared 4- and 5-year-olds’ comprehension when using an e-book with audio narration vs. the e-book alone or an e-book read aloud by a parent. This group of children was specifically “pre-readers”, so audio and images were especially important to their understanding of the story. When they were asked to recall details from the story, children comprehended content from e-books far better when audio narration was used than when it was not, but their greatest comprehension was when a parent read the story with them. This suggests that e-books with audio narration may be useful in a pinch if caregivers are busy, but the audio narration is not a perfect substitute for parental co-reading.  
  • A final study with 3rd and 4th graders examined the effects of one-on-one “scaffolding” (meaning intentional, small guidance and encouragement from a trained adult) on their ability to learn new vocabulary from audiobooks. Based on their results, children who received these periodic one-on-one check-ins alongside their audiobook listening learned more new words than children who only had the audiobook. This scaffolding was particularly important for young readers with lower fluency at the start, as they only showed significant increases in vocabulary when provided this one-on-one support. This suggests that parent or caregiver co-reading can have significant benefits on vocabulary development. 

What does this mean for my child? 

Audiobooks and players are becoming increasingly popular among families and young children. Evidence in older children suggests that audiobooks have benefits, especially when coupled with print books or adult scaffolding, and therefore are a positive screen-free way to spend time. In younger children, audio players like the Toniebox or the Yoto haven’t been studied, but can provide children a positive, independent activity.  

Tips for Parents and Educators  

  • Look for audiobooks at your local library, which can provide them online or as CDs.  
  • Listen together: Listening to an audiobook or audio player as a family can be an important way to bring more stories and books into your home. When listening together, ask your child questions about what they hear. Point out important elements of the story, such as the characters and what the child thinks will happen next. 
  • Consider the 5 Cs of Media Use: 
    • Child: Each child may have a different preference or use for audiobooks. Some children in particular, such as those with dyslexia, may benefit from audiobooks or audio players as an accommodation in academic settings.   
    • Content: Choose high-quality, slow-paced content for your child to listen to on their audiobook or audio player. Be intentional about the stories you and your child choose. 
    • Calm: Audiobooks and players can be useful tools for a screen-free mental refocus, especially when paired with relaxing stories or music.  
    • Crowding Out: Avoid relying on audiobooks and audio players as a replacement for co-reading physical ones. As shown by the research, children’s independent use of audio narration can work in a pinch, but it isn’t a perfect substitute for co-reading/listening. 
    • Communication: Talk with your child about what they are listening to. Even if you’re not directly co-reading, having these conversations can support their continued use of audiobooks and provide a chance for them to discuss content they feel excited by or are having trouble comprehending.  

References 

 

Age: 2-11 

Topics: Audiobooks, reading comprehension, audio players, young children, Yoto, Tonie  

Role: Parent/caregiver, teacher 

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Last Updated

04/21/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics