Independent Reading Should Be Part of Your Child's Daily Routine

Remember D.E.A.R. time? (Drop Everything and READ!) Add D.E.A.R. time to your children’s daily routine.

One of the most essential skills your children need to learn is how to read well and at a good speed. And the best way to become proficient in reading is to practice, practice, practice!

As a teacher, I can tell you that it’s so important for school-aged children (including teenagers) to read for at least 30 minutes per day. Because the more they read, the better and faster they’ll read. And once that happens, they’ll soon learn to love to read.

So once your children learn to read—probably the second half of first grade—be sure to add 30 minutes of independent reading to your children’s daily routine. You might do this by making them get in bed 30 minutes early and read. Or, in the summer, make them read in the middle of the afternoon. Set a timer and have them read until the timer goes off.

Fill your house with lots of good books, and make independent reading part of your children’s daily routine.