As busier schedules signal the start of a new school year, there’s no better time for families to rekindle their love of reading together.
Reading is the perfect way to bond with your child and create cherished memories that last a lifetime. In fact, the latest Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report reveals that 92 percent of parents agree that reading aloud is or was a special time with their child.
Check out the most popular read-aloud books your whole family will love.
The benefits of reading aloud extend far beyond the joy of shared stories. As noted in the Scholastic Reading for Life Whitepaper, positive attitudes toward reading are linked to greater resilience, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence in kids.
“Reading together can be one of the most powerful and effective ways for families to help kids succeed academically and to bolster their emotional health,” says Amanda Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic. That is, reading helps enhance social and emotional development.
Plus, explore the best family read-alouds about feelings.
How to Prioritize Reading This Fall (and All Year Long)
The back-to-school season, a time of transition and big emotions for kids, is ideal for families to prioritize reading together. Relatable books about school and learning, like David Goes to School, are a powerful way to help kids prepare for the new experiences that lie ahead.
“Books are an incredible tool to help kids understand and process change as they make new friends, meet new teachers, and explore a new environment,” Alexander says.
As your child transitions back to the classroom, sharing stories is a wonderful way to stay engaged and connected as a family. Research from the Scholastic Home Libraries Whitepaper shows that interactions between readers and their caregivers — from conversations to storytelling and read-alouds — play a significant role in academic success.
Even as children grow older, the benefits of reading together remain significant. Insights from the Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report highlight that, among kids ages 6-17, reading books for fun — and positive attitudes towards reading — decrease as they grow up.
Despite the tendency for reading frequency to decline with age, maintaining a routine of shared reading continues to expand vocabulary, deepen kids’ understanding of the world, and strengthen family bonds.
“Having adults in a child’s life who prioritize reading will introduce children to positive reading role models. That could be a parent, sibling, or teacher. This is crucial to developing a frequent reader – after all, kids will be what they see,” says Alexander.
Great Ways to Build a Family Reading Routine
Alexander shares six tips below to help your family fall in love with reading this season.
Plus, download and print out our free fall reading log here. This interactive resource provides a fun, creative way to track your child’s reading goals or your time spent reading together, whether it’s after they complete a new book or 20 minutes a day of storytime as a family. Happy reading!
For more reading challenges throughout the year, check out our ultimate summer reading challenge and winter reading challenge.
1. Schedule Daily Reading Time
Whether it’s a few pages before school or a chapter after dinner, establishing a consistent reading schedule helps build a lasting habit and ensures you’re carving out quality family time each day.
“Bedtime rituals are an easy way to incorporate reading into your family’s daily routine. This dedicated time gives you and your child a chance to unwind and connect with one another after a busy day at work or school,” says Alexander.
2. Make Reading Fun
Encouraging your child to read for fun helps make reading a natural part of their routine. By connecting their real-life interests to stories, you can keep the joy of reading alive beyond the pages of a book.
“This could include a trip to the zoo to learn more about animals you have read about together or an activity such as making a beloved character’s favorite meal and have your child practice their literacy skills by reading the instructions from the recipe to you,” suggests Alexander.
Incorporating reading games into everyday activities can also make reading more engaging. For instance, during car rides, challenge your child to find signs that start with a particular letter or have them read headlines aloud as you browse through a newspaper together.
“The more reading that occurs daily in the household, the more habitual it becomes for you and your family,” Alexander says.
3. Let Kids Choose
Giving kids the freedom to choose their own reading list is one of the most effective ways to get them excited about reading. When kids choose, kids read!
According to the Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report, 93 percent of kids say their favorite books are the ones they pick out themselves, and 92 percent are more likely to finish the books they choose. (A Scholastic eGift Card is a great way to inspire your child to find their next favorite read!)
4. Create a Cozy Reading Nook
Set up a dedicated spot in your home for your child to settle in with a good book. Make this special space extra cozy with blankets, plushies, and a variety of books — both old and new — for your reader to choose from.
“Equating reading with relaxation is key to fostering a sense of comfort and excitement with the activity for your child,” says Alexander.
5. Keep Books Accessible Anytime, Anywhere
Access to books in the home is one of the strongest predictors of educational achievement, per the Scholastic Home Libraries Whitepaper. Having even just one book at home doubles the likelihood a child will be on track for literacy learning!
In addition to building a home library, make books readily available wherever you go. Whether it’s stashing your child’s favorite book in your bag for waiting rooms or keeping a book set in the car, having great books on hand ensures they can dive into a story anytime, anywhere.
6. Make Reading Social
More than half of kids enjoy attending reading-related events at school or in their community, according to the Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report. By turning reading into a social activity — from book clubs to watching movies together based on books — children become inspired to read for fun.
Shop our recommended books to enjoy together as a family below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.
About Our Expert
Amanda Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic: Dr. Amanda Alexander has direct oversight of the Education Solutions’ Research & Validation and Professional Learning teams. She and her team focus on professional learning offerings for educators, ensuring the efficacy of the division’s educational products, and advancing research to inform both product development as well as the broader industry to help improve academic and social emotional outcomes for all children. Additionally, Amanda is responsible for strategically bringing to practice the learnings and expertise of the Yale Child Study Center-Scholastic Collaborative for Child and Family Resilience.
