New Year – New You: Reading for Pleasure Resolutions for Your Kids
A new year often brings talk of resolutions, but for young children these don’t need to feel serious or pressured. In fact, the best resolutions are the ones that feel like great fun. One goal to set as a family this January is to encourage reading for pleasure as a cosy, joyful part of daily life.
Reading for pleasure helps children build vocabulary, imagination and grow in confidence, but most importantly it helps them associate books with enjoyment.
Set Fun, Child-Friendly Reading Goals
The key is to keep goals realistic, flexible and playful. Instead of focusing on numbers of pages read or minutes spent reading,think creatively. For example:
Let children choose their goals. When they feel ownership, they’re far more likely to stay engaged.
Make a Reading Chart Together
Craft-based activities can transform reading into something tangible and exciting. Create a simple chart using card, colourful stickers and felt tips. Younger children might enjoy:
For a more hands-on project, why not make a 'Reading Tree' on paper or cardboard. Each time a book is read, add a leaf with the book’s title. Watching the tree fill up is hugely motivating.
Turn Reading into a Ritual
Build reading into daily routines in a relaxed way with bedtime stories, after-school sofa reading, or a Saturday morning library visit. Let children see the adults and older children in your family reading too; modelling enjoyment is one of the strongest motivators.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Avoid rewards that feel transactional. Instead, celebrate milestones with shared experiences: a trip to the library, choosing a new book together, or a family reading picnic. Praise effort and enjoyment, rather than speed or ability.
Keep It Light and Flexible
Some weeks will be full of stories, others less so – and that’s fine. The aim of a 'New Year – New You' reading resolution isn’t to tick boxes, but to nurture a lifelong love of books.
By keeping goals playful, creative and pressure-free, you’ll help young children see reading not as something they have to do, but something they want to do – all year round.
New Year – New You: Reading for Pleasure Resolutions for Your Kids
A new year often brings talk of resolutions, but for young children these don’t need to feel serious or pressured. In fact, the best resolutions are the ones that feel like great fun. One goal to set as a family this January is to encourage reading for pleasure as a cosy, joyful part of daily life.
Reading for pleasure helps children build vocabulary, imagination and grow in confidence, but most importantly it helps them associate books with enjoyment.
Set Fun, Child-Friendly Reading Goals
The key is to keep goals realistic, flexible and playful. Instead of focusing on numbers of pages read or minutes spent reading,think creatively. For example:
Let children choose their goals. When they feel ownership, they’re far more likely to stay engaged.
Make a Reading Chart Together
Craft-based activities can transform reading into something tangible and exciting. Create a simple chart using card, colourful stickers and felt tips. Younger children might enjoy:
For a more hands-on project, why not make a 'Reading Tree' on paper or cardboard. Each time a book is read, add a leaf with the book’s title. Watching the tree fill up is hugely motivating.
Turn Reading into a Ritual
Build reading into daily routines in a relaxed way with bedtime stories, after-school sofa reading, or a Saturday morning library visit. Let children see the adults and older children in your family reading too; modelling enjoyment is one of the strongest motivators.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Avoid rewards that feel transactional. Instead, celebrate milestones with shared experiences: a trip to the library, choosing a new book together, or a family reading picnic. Praise effort and enjoyment, rather than speed or ability.
Keep It Light and Flexible
Some weeks will be full of stories, others less so – and that’s fine. The aim of a 'New Year – New You' reading resolution isn’t to tick boxes, but to nurture a lifelong love of books.
By keeping goals playful, creative and pressure-free, you’ll help young children see reading not as something they have to do, but something they want to do – all year round.