Five Simple Reading Resolutions for the New Year
- Sarah Drewicz
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
Parents come to me feeling overwhelmed. They want to know whether they should be doing more workbooks, flashcards, etc. The answer is always a resounding no! Strong readers are built through confidence and positive experiences with books.
These are realistic, family-friendly reading resolutions that require no prep work, but instead intentionally create a consistent schedule that works for your family. (I will admit on Mondays we are going nonstop from 8 am-8 pm, so on Mondays my boys listen to their Tonie Box instead of both of us reading together and then winding down with a Tonie.)
Commit to Modeling a Love of Reading
You may already be doing this. When my boys were babies, I got out of the habit of reading myself every night, but I always read to my boys. Then my oldest child started kindergarten, and I realized I was encouraging him to read, without modeling it myself.
So last year I got more intentional, and last week my children insisted on reading and looking at books before going to sleep for the night, and honestly, that is a win.
But it didn't happen overnight...
For a long time, modeling reading meant me sitting on my bed reading my book while my boys played in their room or while they jumped all around on and off my bed—night after night for a little over a year.
Eventually, something clicked, they started going to their bookshelves, pulling out books and reading themselves, my younger one gravitating to the me readers, my older his dog man books. The best thing about modeling is that it's quiet, consistent, and incredibly powerful.
Read To and With Your Child Every Day (or as many days as possible)
(Even 10-15 minutes counts)
Daily reading does not have to look the same in every home.
In our house, reading happens at bedtime because it helps us all unwind for the night. But you have to pick the best time for your family—morning snuggles, afternoon naps (or quiet time), or even during a meal, they all count. The goal is consistency.
Reading ten to fifteen minutes daily may feel small to you, but over a year, that time adds up. Reading ten to fifteen minutes a day over a year adds up to 3,650-5,475 minutes of time spent being exposed to a wealth of new vocabulary, increased knowledge, improved listening skills, and fosters a positive connection to books. Small daily habits create lasting growth.
Encourage Any Reading You See
Reading Should Feel Successful
All reading counts.
Rereading familiar books builds fluency and confidence
Reading books that feel "too easy" is still valuable and empowering
Graphic novels, joke books, manuals, and fact books all improve reading skills.
Children need to see themselves as capable readers. When reading feels successful, children are more willing to take risks, try harder books, and attempt challenging words. Confidence all comes before growth.
Follow Your Child's Interests and Build Reading Around Them
Show genuine interest in what your child loves, then find books that match those interests—either for independent reading or for reading together. Let your child teach you something new. Right now, my children are talking about fish nonstop, so naturally, that's where our reading is leading. Interest fuels motivation, which fuels practice.
Practice builds skill and confidence.
Plan One Family Game Night Each Week
(And Sneak in Reading Naturally)
Game night creates opportunities to practice reading while building memories and having fun as a family. Games include board games, card games, and even video games. Many video games require children to read directions, dialogue, maps, etc. It also reinforces the message that reading is practical, social, and a part of daily life.
How to Get Started!
If you've read this post and thought, "This all sounds great and makes sense, but how can I do this without pushing my child too hard?" I invite you to join my free workshop on February 6th or call me for a free consultation to see if literacy coaching is the right option for you.
Click here for a free ticket! Space is limited!
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