As a busy (and exhausted) parent, the idea of fitting in reading time to an already packed schedule can feel like one thing too many. And if you’re envisioning an hour of focused attention or a deep dive into a chapter book every night, it may be.
The truth is, though, fostering your child’s early literacy and book love doesn’t have to be a monumental task. The secret to raising a thriving reader isn’t the length of the session—it’s the consistency of the habit and your engagement with your little one.
By shifting the goal from “perfect” to “practical,” we can find literacy opportunities in the cracks of our daily lives. And guess what? That’s not just fantastic for your child and their prospects. It’s also good for you—it turns out reading aloud to kids has surprising benefits for parents’ happiness and stress levels.
Here are four tips for how to make time to read aloud to kids:
Seize the Micro-Moments
Early literacy is built in the small, everyday spaces where language happens. You don’t need a library or classroom to make an impact. You just need to be prepared for the in-between moments.
- The go-bag: Keep a small, lightweight picture book or two in your purse or diaper bag. Rotate them now and then. You can also throw in coloring books with words, a DIY writing book, or storytelling cards as your child grows—anything that supports language and literacy.
- Waiting wonders: Ironically, the busiest schedules can still include frustrating amounts of waiting around. At the restaurant. In line at the store. At the doctor’s or dentist’s office. In the pickup line to get a sibling. For a bus, train, plane, ride, or friend. Try using time spent waiting with your child to look at a book together rather than reaching for a phone.
- The grocery hack: As you push around the cart, hand your child a book to browse, play with, or nibble on (as the case may be—it’s fine for babies and small kids to play with or chew on sturdy board or fabric books). It may keep them busy for a while while you shop, and you’ll be building the book habit into the bargain. Then waiting in the checkout line is a chance to read a page out loud, or simply point out letters on a magazine cover.
- Park benches and playdates: Bring a book to the park for a cool-down session under a tree after your child has finished running around. It can be a great way to calm down an overstimulated child or prepare them for naptime, too.
Create a ‘Strewing’ Strategy
“Strewing” is the art of leaving interesting materials in your child’s path to spark natural curiosity. Instead of keeping all books on a high shelf, place them where life actually happens.
Just make sure they’re titles your child can enjoy freely, without worrying they’ll ruin them, especially during the early years. Find free or cheap kids’ books, so it won’t matter if your child tears pages or colors in them. (Nothing kills story time joy like turning books into something for them to get in trouble over!) Keep the library books or keepsake volumes for reading together.
- Convenience is key: Place short, sturdy books in the car seat pocket, next to the high chair, or even in a basket by the bathtub. Keep plenty of books where your child can reach them, near their toys or on lower shelves.
- The breakfast table read: Start the day with a story while your child eats breakfast, if possible. It sets a calm, language-rich tone for the morning and prepares their mind for a day of learning—just as a nourishing breakfast prepares their body. If you’re too rushed for this lovely morning routine some days, though, don’t beat yourself up. A bagel and a book in the car on the way to daycare or school can also create a moment of engagement and calm for your child in the midst of real life.
- Visual cues: Leave books open to an interesting illustration to catch your child’s eye, or put tempting covers in plain sight. Display bookcases are popular, or you can create your own by simply propping books to face out on reachable shelves or surfaces. You can also surprise them with a cute book basket of curated (used) reads on their desk or bed. Just switch up the books regularly to keep it interesting. Don’t spend a fortune—hit up your local library or source used books.
Choose Books You Actually Like
Shared reading is a relationship, and if you are bored to tears, your child will sense it. It can be great to read your child’s favorite book over and over, but the interaction is also a powerful part of the experience, so don’t be afraid to curate a library that delights you, too.
- Find your genre: If you love learning facts together, find high-quality science books for kids. Many titles, like Redwoods by Jason Chin, contain fascinating tidbits that few adults know. If you love touching stories, seek out quality fiction like Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson. If you love art, look for books with stunning, sophisticated illustrations. Just make sure you find that sweet spot where your child is engaged, too—mix in books you both love or find your shared interests.
- Diverse formats: Don’t limit yourself to traditional stories. Poetry, nursery rhymes, and even cookbooks can be fun to explore together. Same thing with magazines and even the news (provided you can keep away from news that will cause stress or fear—science or lifestyle news can be just right).
- The joy factor: When you are genuinely engaged or laughing at a story, your child learns that reading is a source of pleasure, not just a requirement. Books that invite natural interaction can create a fun story time for parent and child—think titles like Press Here and Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet.
Quality Over Quantity
If you only have five minutes, use them. Five minutes of attentive, back-and-forth connection over a book may have more impact than 30 minutes of distracted reading—although distracted reading can have its place, too. If you’re exhausted, reciting words off a page may sometimes be the easiest way to entertain your child. As long as they’re engaged, that’s fine, too.
The main thing is to start small, be responsive to your child’s cues, let the pressure go—and then keep it up.
