Learning to read is a big milestone in a young student’s life, and an important one.

In fact, United Way has identified early grade reaching achievement as a key strategy in improving graduation rates and fostering success in academics and beyond. Schools and other educational programming will always be a big part of that strategy, but we as community members can play an important role in helping young students build a foundation.

A great place to start is with the children in our own lives: our kids, grandkids, siblings, nieces, nephews or neighbors. As we wrap up March as National Reading Month, United Way BCKR staff members reflected on the ways they’ve encouraged the children in their lives to develop a passion for reading.

Here’s what they had to say:

Content is Key

“What works for my younger brother is choosing books that have easily identifiable characters. For example, when he was younger, I got him books that featured Peppa Pig as the star of the show. He enjoyed them because he was really into Peppa Pig. I would add that sitting and reading with him in a fun way, like reading aloud with a British accent or acting things out, helps. This gets him excited to read the next sentence, and eventually the whole page.” – Irene Muthui

“I agree that you’re more likely to read if you love the subject matter. My older niece has always been a voracious reader, and that was encouraged because we kept giving her the historical fiction she loved. My younger niece would much rather play sports, but once we found books that aligned with her love, she was more likely to sit down and read.” – Laurel Clark

Books Make Great Gifts or Rewards

“I’m ‘that grandma’ who gives all the grandkids books for Christmas along with another small gift.” – Teri Schneider

“I always include a book (or two or three) in baby shower gifts. Recently I’ve found the ‘indestructible’ books – rip proof, chew proof, washable baby books. So I try to include one of those, as well as one or more designed for building their library of books.” – Jamie Rugg

“Good report cards meant a trip to Barnes & Noble. A book for every ‘A.’” – Gerry Gagnon

Support Goes a Long Way

“I don’t have a lot of youngins in my life, but I am a Big through Bigs in Business. One of our goals for the year is to find a book that my Little enjoys and read it together. Our plan is to set weekly reading goals, and then to come in and talk about the book together. I think that having another person to talk to about the book you’re reading is always helpful. We can discuss the book together and talk about the parts we don’t understand.” – Daniela Caspio

Consistency Counts

“My husband is a librarian, so we read together as a family every day. We also participate every year in Kalamazoo Public Library’s Party in the Park, where we dress in costumes from children’s books and read to preschoolers in the park. It really makes the books come to life!” – Alisha Siebers

“I have read to or with my children every day from the moment they were born. My children have always had bookshelves filled with books of all kinds. We have books in the cars, too. Reading is an everyday activity in our house.” – Windi Glessner

“We try to make Saturday visits to the public library a priority whenever possible. There are usually fun, free activities going on like Lego building or crafts, and my boys have come to enjoy picking out their books for the week. My oldest likes to curl up in a chair and read until I’m done picking out my own. It can be hard to get him to leave.” – Tammy Mills

Make it a Shared Experience

“Reading every day, and modeling excitement about reading, is important. I also think I was told from an early age that I was a ‘good’ reader, which reinforced my desire to do it every day. Growing up, we always listened to books on tape on our annual family car trips, which was great because it was a shared experience.” – Alyssa Stewart

“Reading aloud is a wonderful thing at any age, by any reader. It encourages expression, connection and is almost as good as a hug.” – MaryLou Boughton

What are some things you’ve done to encourage the young readers in your life? Email tmills@uwbckr.org or message us on Facebook. We’d love to share your responses on social media!