As a parent or someone in a parenting role, you play an essential role in your child’s success. There are intentional ways to grow a healthy parent-child/teen relationship, and growing skills in reading is a great way to do it.

Reading is essential for your child’s/teen’s success in school. Reading also plays a critical role in your child’s/teen’s

● social and emotional development[1]

● language development

● executive functions like working memory and self-control ^1

● connection to you

● empathy and understanding of others

● imagination (ability to “see” the story) ^2

● ability to choose healthy behaviors (preventing high-risk behaviors and unhealthy choices)

Researchers have found that social, emotional, and cognitive development cannot be separated. They directly and indirectly impact one another.^3^ Children/Teens exercise their responsible decision-making skills and moral development as they reflect on their favorite character’s choices and the outcomes.

Children/teens ages eleven to fourteen are in the process of learning how to read larger, more complicated texts and extracting meaning from them. Children/teens ages thirteen to fourteen are required in school to begin thinking abstractly about their reading and deciphering metaphors, symbols, and cultural themes. All children/teens can establish critical learning habits through reading that will extend throughout their school years. Reading is learned best snuggled up next to parents, grandparents, and other loved ones. The single most important activity for building skills essential for reading success is reading aloud to children. ^4

Parents tend to stop reading aloud as children/teens get older and become more competent readers. However, even high school students (and adults) benefit from collaborative reading or reading aloud. In reading together, you deepen your caring connection (relationship skills). You and your child/teen gain insight into the characters’ inner lives - thoughts and feelings - in a way that no other source can allow you access (social awareness). And, with that exploration of others’ experiences, you learn more about who you are (self-awareness) and what you value (responsible decision-making).

Yet, anyone can face challenges when it comes to establishing a daily reading routine. Families today are busier than ever, with more demands on their time.

Children/teens are highly entertained and stimulated by technology. It may take more encouragement than past generations to start reading. But once you get into a routine and make it a joyful experience, it can enrich your family life and deepen your intimacy while promoting valuable skills for school and life success. The steps below include specific, practical strategies and effective conversation starters to support family reading cooperatively.

Becoming intentional about a daily reading routine, looking for ways to incorporate reading into family time spent together, and considering the quality of the experience of reading together can all contribute to a child’s/teen’s development.

Today, in the short term, reading can create

● greater opportunities for connection and enjoyment

● opportunity for dialogue and reflection

● a direct and simple way to influence your child’s/teen’s positive development

Tomorrow, in the long term, reading helps your...