Hello, LFJ family! This week, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the power of pausing. In a world that moves fast, reading with our children is one of the most meaningful ways to slow down. When we pause long enough to open a book, settle in, and share a story, we’re not just building reading skills; we’re building connection, emotional grounding, and memories that become part of a child’s story of who they are. Literacy grows in those quiet, intentional pauses where we laugh, ask questions, turn pages, and simply enjoy each other’s presence.

What research says:

• Shared book-reading at home with toddlers and preschoolers predicts stronger vocabulary, better reading comprehension, and even greater motivation to read later on.
  
• Children who are read to regularly, not just once in a while, are more likely to develop early literacy skills like letter recognition, rhyming, and phonemic awareness.
  
• A solid “home-library” environment (such as having books and reading materials at home) is linked to improved academic outcomes and better long-term literacy and brain development in children.
  
• With reading skills declining nationally, the home environment is a powerful buffer, and reading together can help close gaps before school even begins.
  

My personal LFJ story:
When I was pregnant, I started reading children’s books aloud to my bump. Once our daughter was born, we made reading a nightly ritual. By age 2, books had become one of her favorite “toys.” Every night before bed, she asks for “two books,” and somehow we end up reading three or four. That bedtime rhythm (the page-turning, the questions, the giggles) has become one of our sweetest routines.

Here are 7 Simple tips for home literacy (even when time is tight):

1. Read daily (even 5–10 minutes counts). A short bedtime story, a quick picture book after dinner, or a few pages before nap can make a big difference.
   
2. Let kids see YOU read. Model reading by letting them catch you reading a book or magazine. It normalizes reading.
   
3. Make reading interactive. Ask questions: “What do you think happens next?” or “Why is that character sad/happy?” Talking about the story builds comprehension and critical thinking.
   
4. Use everyday print — not just books. Labels, street signs, recipes, grocery lists — reading is everywhere, and real-life print helps with practical literacy.
   
5. Build a home library — small or large. Even 5 books they love beats a shelf full of books they ignore. Rotate books occasionally to keep them fresh. To keep costs low, thrift stores often have a great selection of children’s books!
   
6. Read favorites over and over. Repetition builds familiarity, vocabulary, and confidence. Plus, children often want the “same story again,” and that’s completely okay!
   
7. Turn reading into connection time. Use reading as a way to unwind, chat about feelings, share ideas — not just reading skills. Over the summer, I received a free book at a conference, Just Breathe Bear, and it’s been great teaching our little one how to regulate her feelings. 

Why this matters beyond academics:
Yes, reading skills are essential for school. But for us, and for children, reading together is more than that. It builds routines, deepens relationships, and gives our children a safe space to imagine, explore, question, and find comfort. It supports lifelong learning by strengthening the routines, attention, and thinking skills that help children grow as readers and as learners.

If you try even one of these this week, a quick bedtime story or a trip to the library, drop it in the comments! I’d love to hear how it goes. Let’s build readers and relationships together. 

Sources

Demir-Lira, Ö. E., Applebaum, L. R., Goldin-Meadow, S., & Levine, S. C. (2019). Parents’ early book reading to children: Relation to children’s later language and literacy outcomes controlling for other parent language input. Developmental Science, 22(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.12764  

Galea, A., Schulz, J., Peeler, C., Whitehouse, A. J. O., & McArthur, G. (2025). Home-based shared book reading and developmental outcomes in young children: A systematic review with meta-analyses. Frontiers in Language Sciences. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/language-sciences/articles/10.3389/flang.2025.1540562/full

Jewish Child & Family Services. (n.d.). The importance of having books in your home. JCFS. https://www.jcfs.org/blog/importance-having-books-your-home JCFS Chicago

Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Reading with your child. Reading Rockets. https://www.readingrockets.org/literacy-home/reading-your-child Reading Rockets

Schwartz, S. (2025, October 14). Mounting evidence shows national reading scores stuck at historic lows. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/mounting-evidence-shows-national-reading-scores-stuck-at-historic-lows/2025/10

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