There was once a sound that filled nearly every home with young children…the animated voice of a parent reading aloud, changing tones for each character, pausing dramatically before turning the page, while little eyes watched in wonder.

But that sound is becoming quieter.

According to a recent study, fewer parents are reading to their children regularly than ever before. In just over a decade, the number of parents reading frequently to young children has dropped dramatically, and as children grow older, reading together often disappears altogether.

And while life is busy and screens have become the default form of entertainment in many homes, the research is clear: reading to children is one of the most powerful things parents can do to build literacy, strengthen connection, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Children who are read to regularly are exposed to richer vocabulary, stronger language patterns, and greater imagination. But the benefits go far beyond academics. Reading together creates moments of closeness and comfort that children carry with them long after the story ends.

The truth is, kids don’t just learn to read from instruction alone.
They learn to value reading by watching the adults around them.

When children see books being enjoyed—>not treated like homework<—they begin to associate reading with warmth, curiosity, and connection. Even just fifteen minutes a day can make an incredible difference in a child’s literacy development and emotional well-being.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated.

A simple bedtime story.
A silly character voice.
A blanket fort and flashlight.
A trip to the library.
A parent making reading feel magical again.

Those little moments matter more than we realize.

That’s why this summer is the perfect opportunity to create new reading habits as a family. Instead of letting books collect dust while screens take over, let’s make reading an adventure kids actually look forward to.

To help make it fun and easy, we’ve created a FREE downloadable Summer Reading Challenge filled with clever and creative ways to inspire kids to read throughout the summer months.

Because when we help children fall in love with books, we’re giving them more than literacy skills.
We’re giving them imagination, confidence, curiosity, and connection that lasts long after childhood.