If you’re like most parents you want your child to feel confident and curious, prepared to handle what school and life may bring. One of the most lasting ways to support that growth is reading.

It’s easy to treat reading as another academic skill. But it supports so much more. Reading strengthens language, supports clear thinking, encourages empathy, and builds emotional awareness.

The earlier it becomes part of a child’s routine, the more natural it feels. However, it’s never too late to begin. I was a reluctant reader until middle school, and I still became someone who loves books and now writes them. Children develop at different rates. Not every child is ready to read by Kindergarten, but every time you read to them you are showing them it is important because they are getting your time. 

When my children were little, I would tell them that there was an almost 100 percent chance if they brought a book I would stop what ever I was doing to read to them. Sometimes they would have a hard day but they didn't always know why they needed mom, or even how to ask for a hug. But I knew if they brought me a book outside of our normal reading time there was probably something going on in their world.

We’re in a Literacy Crisis, But There’s Hope

Reading for enjoyment is on the decline. Families are under so much pressure with busy routines, overwhelming school work, screens, and outside pressures.

Some students are attending college struggling with basic reading comprehension and writing skills. They are capable, but they missed out on experiences that would have built those skills early on. That gap is harder to bridge once they are out of Middle School.

Books Build the Brain

Reading supports brain development in ways that help children learn. It builds memory, attention, vocabulary, and comprehension. Just a few minutes a day can help form strong neural connections that carry over into other subjects.

The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights reading aloud as one of the most effective ways to support school readiness. It requires no special tools or training, just time and attention.

It Also Fuels Imagination 

Stories help children explore new ideas. As they listen or read, they imagine settings, characters, and outcomes. These mental exercises activate the creative parts of the brain and influence how children play, solve problems, and tell their own stories.

It Strengthens Writing Too

Children who read often are more likely to write with confidence. Reading shows them how sentences work and how ideas naturally flow. Writing gives them the chance to try it out for themselves.

Many reluctant writers become more open to writing after connecting with a story they enjoy. Once they care about a book, they begin to imagine and create. That motivation helps build voice and clarity.

This was the case for me. In 6th grade we read, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by      C. S. Lewis as a class and for the first time I wanted to go to school because we weren't allowed to take the books home. I had never read something so magical and it lit my creativity on fire. 

That same year I discovered a lesser known genre- Children's Paranormal Horror/Mystery, and for the first time in my young life I had the "can't put it down" experience reading, "Wait til Helen Comes" and "The Dollhouse Murders." Paranormal horror certainly isn't for every child, but it showed me that books could be exciting and unexpected and that made me keep looking for more.

Kids Who Read Every Day Show Up Differently

Regular reading improves attention, communication, and academic performance.

A study showed that students who read for 20 minutes daily scored near the top on standardized tests. Those who read for only five minutes a day scored closer to the average range.

 (Anderson, Wilson, & Fielding, 1988)

That time adds up and shapes how children think and learn.

Even a Small Home Library Makes a Difference

You don’t need a large collection to support literacy. Studies have shown that even 20 books in the home can positively impact long-term academic success.

 (Evans et al., 2010)

A few well-loved titles within reach at home, plus a library card can become part of a lasting habit.

It’s Not About the Perfect Book

Reading doesn’t have to be pretentious. If your child enjoys a graphic novel, animal facts, or a favorite series on repeat, that interest matters. It builds comfort and motivation. Trust that over time the positive experiences will make them more open to other genres.

Reading Brings Us Closer

Books help children grow, but they also deepen the bonds between child and caregiver.

As a parent to military children and a grief and trauma counselor, I’ve seen how reading can offer a steady routine during difficult times. My kids experienced repeated moves and long deployments. In those seasons, reading gave us something familiar to turn to.

When I didn’t know what else to do, we read. It gave us a, sometimes needed, distraction and a reason to sit together. 

Research supports that children who are read to regularly tend to develop stronger bonds with caregivers and show greater emotional resilience.

 (Sources: Zero to Three; American Academy of Pediatrics; National Early Literacy Panel)

Whether it’s five minutes before school, a story before bed, or a laugh over something silly, reading teaches children they are important.

Keep Reading Aloud, Even After They Can Read

Many parents stop reading aloud once their children can read independently. But reading together still matters.

Children often understand more through listening than they do when reading alone, even well into elementary school. Reading aloud gives them access to new vocabulary and complex ideas, and the ability to ask what something means without bothering you.

Reading together are some of the best memories we have as a family.

Try This at Home

• Read aloud daily, even if your child reads on their own
• Let them choose the book, even if it’s a repeat
• Talk about the story afterward
• Keep books in places where they can grab them easily
• Make regular trips to the library or bookstore
• Join reading programs or events in your community
• Offer quiet books during car rides or waiting rooms
• For tech-friendly kids, try e-readers or library apps
• Build a small, consistent reading habit at bedtime
• Let them see you reading your own books, too

These small moments support a lifelong relationship with reading and with your children.