Back-to-school season brings a shift in routines for families. Whether your child is heading back to a classroom, learning from home, or doing a little of both, a new school year means fuller schedules and more structured learning time. Between lessons, assignments, activities, and family time, the last thing your child may want to do is pick up another book.
The good news? Reading doesn’t have to become another assignment on the schedule. We came up with some few tips that can help your family make reading an enjoyable part of your routine, whenever it happens!
Keep Reading Time Short and Manageable
Reading together doesn’t have to be an hour every day. It can be a 15 to 30 minute window over breakfast, during bath time, or before bed―whenever it best fits your family’s needs. Instead of focusing on how many pages your child finishes, focus on making that time enjoyable.
For older children, setting a timer can help them enjoy reading without letting school work get in the way. Try setting aside 20 to 30 minutes for reading for pleasure, then focus on homework. Or encourage your child to finish their homework first, then read a book of their choice as a way to wind down for the evening.
It also doesn’t have to be sitting down with a physical book, either! Try listening to an audiobook together, which can be done while taking a walk, making dinner, or driving to school. Of course, for military families, watching a read-aloud story on our UTR app is another great way to have daily storytime.
Create a Fun Reading Space
Give your child a cozy place where they can step away from schoolwork and enjoy reading just for pleasure. It can be a comfortable chair, a corner of their room, or a favorite spot on the couch. You can also encourage them to make the space their own by adding a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or stacks of books they’re excited to read. Creating a dedicated and safe space can help let them know that this is their time to relax, recharge, and enjoy a good story.
Let Your Child Choose What To Read
When schoolwork, activities, and busy family schedules leave little time for reading, help your child create a “to be read” (TBR) list. Encourage them to pick out the books that catch their interests (try a few from our Back To School book list). Curating that list can be a fun activity in itself, and keeping it up to date ensures that your child always has a story ready to go when a little free time opens up!
Model Your Own Love of Reading
Your attitude toward reading can influence how your child feels about it. Approach shared reading time with excitement rather than treating it like a task to check off the list. Keep the books around the house or within their reach. Talk about the stories that you love, and make time for your own reading.
We hope these tips help your family keep a family reading routine this school year. Whether it’s a few pages between lessons or a story before bed, every reading moment is an opportunity to slow down, connect, and enjoy a good book together.
Looking for your child’s next great read? Check out our curated book list to find stories for every age and interest. Military families can also use the United Through Reading app to request a free book for every recording made.