How to help kids fall in love with reading

(BPT) – Do you have fond memories of being read stories at bedtime or curling up with your favorite books? While reading has been a cherished pastime for many during childhood, today’s kids face multiple distractions, including video games and social media. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, reveals a concerning trend in the declining reading scores of American students, a challenge predating the pandemic.To better understand students’ reading behaviors, Renaissance, a global leader in education technology and learning solutions, began tracking and compiling the annual “What Kids Are Reading” report, which has become the world’s largest annual study of K-12 student reading habits. The report provides insights on reading growth, popular books and series by grade, titles to engage reluctant readers and authentic Spanish titles.The research on student reading clearly outlines the power of 15 minutes of daily reading practice to drastically improve student outcomes. Data shows that just 48% of K-2 students read 15 minutes daily. In grades 9-12, this drops to a mere 20% of students. However, establishing a 15-minute-per-day average reading habit leads to marked improvement for all children — especially those who are behind.”Overall, kids are reading less and less,” said Dr. Gene Kerns, chief academic officer at Renaissance. “That’s why we feel so strongly that this report can help anyone who wants to engage a child in the joy of reading.”For parents and caregivers wanting to see their children read more, Renaissance’s team of researchers offers these tips:1. Kickstart a 15-minute daily reading habitIt’s easier to encourage a reading habit when your child sees you enjoy reading. Choose a convenient time, such as right after dinner or before bedtime, for the whole family to enjoy 15 minutes of reading. This is a great way to wind down the day and discover new things to talk about together.”Reading at least 15 minutes per day is one of the best habits kids can develop,” said Kerns. “Not only are they exposed to more words, but their understanding of themselves and the world expands as their ability to read more sophisticated material grows.”2. Discover beloved authors Identify authors who your child resonates with to kindle their enthusiasm for reading. If you notice your child loving one book, help them find other books by that author. Even if the book they choose is not what you would pick for them, any book that interests them can crack open the door to more reading. Using one favorite book as a springboard can turn a reluctant reader into a lifelong reader.”For many students, finding pleasure in and truly connecting with reading begins with finding some success — often their first success in reading,” said Kerns. “Let reluctant or struggling readers read the books they want to read. Then work to guide their reading practice from there. Reading simple books is better than not reading books at all.”3. Explore book series Renaissance’s student reading data shows benefits for kids interested in a series. The more series a child reads, the more books they read overall. The largest leap the report found was from 23 total books read by kids who were reading just two series to more than twice that — 50 books — read by kids engaged with three or more series. Even better, kids who were reading multiple book series read for 46 minutes daily.”Book series are providing students with some of the strongest reading growth seen in our research because they’re drawn in for multiple reads,” added Kerns.4. Embrace graphic novelsWhile some parents might think graphic novels aren’t “real books,” the truth is, they do measure up well in terms of reading complexity — and they definitely spark and sustain reading interest for many kids.”Parents may be concerned that graphic novels are not building the necessary reading and comprehension skills their children need, but our research shows these titles are on par in terms of text complexity with others across various grade levels,” said Kerns.5. Consider STEM books for young readersEncourage your child’s curiosity by seeking STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) books for younger readers: topics like the natural world, how machines work, outer space and more. Books about science and math spark interest in the world around them, which is an effective way to foster engagement with other subjects as they grow and develop.Learn more about Renaissance, one of the nation’s leading providers of educational programs used by more than 60% of students across the U.S., at renaissance.com.To access the complete findings and discover popular books by state and grade, download the 2025 “What Kids Are Reading” report at renaissance.com/resources/what-kids-are-reading.