Setting Up a Reading Routine
at Home for 2025
Is your New Year’s resolution to read more to your kiddo?
Reading is a fundamental skill that opens doors to countless worlds and opportunities. By instilling a love of reading early on, you're setting your child up for a lifetime of learning and enjoyment. We’ve got practical, easy-to-start, and stress-free tips to help you establish a regular reading routine in 2025 for your little one.
How to Incorporate Reading into Your Family’s Daily Routine
Just like brushing your teeth or getting ready for bed, reading should be a non-negotiable part of your child’s daily routine. Whether it's a quick bedtime story or a longer session during nap time, consistent exposure to books is key. If your child struggles with reading, they might resist when you introduce it into their daily routine. However, with more practice and repetition – and once they realize that reading time isn’t going anywhere – your child will eventually accept reading as part of their day. They’ll love it, too!
First, you’ll need to determine your daily goal. Your child’s teacher can help you decide on the number of minutes your child should be reading per day or books per week. You may choose to read books together before bed, or in the early afternoon after lunch, or as part of your child’s wind-down time after dinner.
Next, you need to hold yourself accountable. Write down the new goals and post them in a place where you and your child can clearly see them. It’s helpful for them to be at your kiddo’s eye-level.
Then, talk with your child about this new routine. Explain to them why reading is important, how the new routine will work, and when it will start.
Finally, it’s time to give it a try! Your new reading routine does not have to be perfect and can change, so if something isn’t working for you or your child, make adjustments so that reading remains fun and accessible. As much consistency as you can keep is key even when life gets busy to help your child understand that reading is a priority in your family.
Tips to Support Your Child’s Reading Routine
Figuring out how to develop reading habits in kids varies from child to child, and family to family. It’s not easy! Try using these ideas to guide your child and don’t be discouraged if it takes time and hard work to make this new routine a fixture in your family’s day.
1. Create a Cozy Reading Corner
Designate a special reading nook in your home where your child can relax and get lost in a good book. A comfy chair, soft blankets, and gentle lighting can create a peaceful atmosphere that encourages reading. Your child may even enjoy reading to a stuffed animal or pet in their reading corner. Making a reading nook that your child loves, feels safe in, and has helped to assemble will encourage them to spend time in it.
2. Take Turns Reading Aloud
Reading aloud together is a wonderful way to bond with your child. Take turns reading pages or chapters, and encourage your child to sound out words, even if they're still learning. Learning to read is a source of pride for many children, so be encouraging, helpful, and positive. Make it fun by doing funny voices, adding sound effects, and giving your child the job of turning the page.
3. Listen to Audiobooks
Audiobooks are a fantastic way to introduce your child to new stories and authors. Listen to them in the car, during bath time, or as you wind down for the night. Audiobooks should not replace books altogether but should offer your child another way to engage with reading.
4. Make Library Visits an Event
Regular trips to the library can spark your child's imagination and foster a love of books. Let your child choose their own books, and make the library a fun and exciting place to be.
- Getting your first library card is a badge of honor! It’s a special occasion and rite of passage, so make it a big deal. Explain to your child how it gives them access to a world of books and resources.
- Make it a Playdate Destination: Plan library playdates with your child’s friends. Children can explore the books together, talk about what they like and dislike, share their favorite stories, and make reading a social activity.
- Become a Storytime Regular: Many libraries offer weekly storytime circles or other programs to support early literacy where your kid can listen to an adult read a book to them, strengthen reading skills, sing songs, and participate in other activities.
5. Let Your Child Choose Their Books
Give your child the freedom to pick out their own books, empowering them and fostering a sense of ownership over their reading choices. Encourage your child to ask your local librarian or bookstore worker for recommendations, help, and ideas. Talk with them about what kind of stories they like and what they would like to learn more about.
6. Talk About the Illustrations
Even before your child can read, they can appreciate the illustrations in a book. Point out details, ask questions, and encourage your child to talk about what they see. Illustrations aren’t just decoration – they exist to support your child’s imagination, help provide context clues, and move the story forward.
7. Lead by Example
Children learn by observing their parents. Make time to read for yourself, whether it's a book, magazine, or newspaper. Your child will see the value of reading and be more likely to follow your lead. Let your child catch you reading. You can even read your own books separately, but be in the same room together.
8. Make Books Available in Your Home
Keep books in multiple places in your home, including your child’s room, playroom, and family bookshelves. If your child says they’re bored, suggest reading. If they need a calming strategy or an activity to wind down, try reading a book. Making books an option for your child will help them associate reading as a typical activity.
9. Support Your Child’s Reading Journey Holistically
There are many ways to support your child’s reading journey. With the Preschool Box or Lil Readers Club, your child will receive a book, crafts, activities, and a parent guide each month that builds your child’s learning objectives and confidence. Your child may even qualify for state funding to pay for their boxes.
10. Get Your Whole Family Involved
Make reading a family affair! Grandparents can read with your child and create lasting memories. Older siblings who read can model positive behavior for your younger child. Babysitters can reinforce your child’s reading routine.
Family support is so important when it comes to fostering a love of reading in children. Sharing stories together, discussing plotlines, asking what your child is reading, going to the library together, and asking open-ended questions encourages children to think critically and engage with the text.
How do you get the whole family on board? Get creative! Here are a few ideas:
- Make it clear that your new reading routine applies to everyone in your household – children and adults alike.
- Choose books together and read aloud as a group.
- Make visiting the library or bookstore a family outing.
- Have silent reading time as a family.
- Tell your child’s babysitter or caregiver about the reading routine and ask them to make it a part of their work.
- Encourage grandparents and extended family to read to your child when they visit.
Establishing a daily reading routine for kids now can help your child develop a lifelong love of reading, and receive all the benefits that come with it. Remember, the most important thing is to make reading a positive and enjoyable experience. So, grab a book, cuddle up with your little one, and start reading today!