In a world with so many distractions and busy schedules, it can be challenging to carve out time for reading. But prioritizing reading as a family can lead to lifelong benefits for children and create cherished memories!
Whether your child is struggling with reading or loves books and you want to encourage them to keep reading, making reading a family priority in 2025 can set everyone up for success.
Practical Ways to Make Reading a Central Part of Your Family Life
1. Set Daily Reading Habits for Everyone in the Family
Reading is a skill that grows with practice. By establishing daily reading habits for the entire family, you not only support your child’s growth but also model the importance of reading as a lifelong activity And maybe you'll find a love for reading, too!
Here’s how:
Create a Reading Routine: Choose a consistent time each day for everyone to read. It might be 20 minutes before bedtime, during breakfast, or right after school.
Read Together: For younger children, reading aloud together strengthens their skills and builds a love for books. Older children may enjoy a shared family reading challenge.
Lead by Example: When parents and siblings read regularly, it shows children that reading is valuable for everyone, not just something required for school.
2. Create a Book Wish List for the Year
Encourage excitement about reading by involving the whole family in creating a book wish list. This approach builds anticipation and gives everyone something to look forward to.
Make it a Family Activity: Sit down together and ask each family member to list books they’d like to read. Include a mix of genres, topics, and formats, such as fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, or audiobooks.
Use Special Occasions: Birthdays, holidays, or the start of a new school year can be great opportunities to gift books from the wish list.
Visit the Library or Bookstore: Regular trips to the library or bookstore can keep your book list fresh and encourage exploration.
3. Celebrate Big and Small Wins
A great, easy way to prioritize reading is by recognizing progress and achievements in reading because it can motivate your child to keep going, especially if reading is a struggle.
Track Progress: Use a reading log or app to track the number of books or pages read. Visualizing progress can be incredibly motivating for kids.
Celebrate Milestones: Did your child finish a challenging book? Celebrate with a fun activity or treat. Even small victories, like mastering a tricky word, deserve acknowledgment.
Make it Fun: Plan themed celebrations around books. For instance, have a "Dr. Seuss Day" or a "Harry Potter Night" with costumes, food, and discussions.
4. Use Audiobooks
Audiobooks are a fantastic tool to make reading more accessible and enjoyable, especially for children who struggle with traditional reading or have busy schedules.
Use Audiobooks to Build Listening Skills: Listening to audiobooks helps children expand their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Pair with Print Books: For struggling readers, following along in the physical book while listening to the audiobook can enhance word recognition and fluency.
Include Audiobooks in Daily Life: Listen to audiobooks during car rides, while cooking dinner, or during quiet playtime.
Benefits of Prioritizing Reading as a Family
When families prioritize reading, they can create a culture of learning, empathy, and creativity. For struggling readers, these practices can provide the additional support they need to close the reading gap.
Beyond academics, reading together strengthens family bonds and creates shared experiences that last a lifetime!
By setting daily habits, creating a book wish list, celebrating wins, and embracing audiobooks, you can make reading a joyful and essential part of your family’s life in 2025.
Remember, every step you take toward prioritizing reading makes a difference, especially for children who need extra support to thrive.
If you’re a parent of a struggling reader or simply want to help your child develop a love for books, our team of online Reading Specialists is here to help. Schedule a call to see how we can work together to close the reading gap and help your child succeed in school and in life!
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