As a mom, one of my greatest joys has been nurturing my kids’ love of reading. I’ve always been a big reader and looked forward to visiting the public library every saturday as a child. I have fond memories of my entire family reading, and some of the earliest memories I have of my dad involve being curled up on his lap in an overstuffed brown recliner, being read to. There’s something magical about sharing stories, and it’s a tradition I wanted to cultivate. When my first daughter was born, she spent ten days in the NICU. My husband (also an avid reader) and I brought precious few things to keep at her bedside, but one of the things we prioritized was a little board book. We read it to her everyday that she was in the NICU and for years after.

Now I have three children that adore books, and the culture of our home is very accommodating for that.

Peppered throught our home, I’ve intentially placed. cozy reading nooks. I gathered pillows, blankets, and a soft lamp to make the spaces inviting. They have become our little retreats where we could escape into worlds filled with adventure and imagination, either together or separately.

Reading aloud has been one of the most special parts of our routine. I love picking engaging books that match their interests—anything from whimsical tales about talking animals to thrilling adventures. As I read, I can see their imaginations sparking. We often pause to discuss the characters’ choices or predict what might happen next, turning a simple reading session into an interactive experience. My husband takes a big role in this as well, reading an ongoing chapter book every night before bed.

We also make regular trips to the library, which is like a treasure hunt for us. I let the kids roam the aisles, exploring different genres and discovering new authors. Their excitement is contagious as they show me the books they’ve chosen, and we often walk out with a pile that’s almost too heavy to carry! One caveat: vet the books before you let your kids read them! We have stumbled upon some inappropriate or weird ones by accident.

To mix things up, we’ve dabbled in audiobooks and storytelling podcasts. Whether we’re on a long car ride or just hanging out at home, listening to a gripping story brings us together. It’s amazing how an audiobook can turn an ordinary afternoon into an adventure. Especially when I have had a newborn to tend to, audio books were a way to still foster that connection with my older kids.

When they hit reading milestones, we celebrate! Whether it’s finishing a chapter book or mastering a new reading level, I try to make a big deal out of it. A trip to get ice cream or picking out a new book feels like the perfect reward for their hard work. They love to show off their reading skills to grandparents, and videos of them reading make their way into our home videos.

Every week, I tie books into what they’re learning in school. If we read a story about a historical event, it helps our history curriculum hit a little harder. It helps them see how reading connects to the real world, and it makes the stories even more meaningful.

Ultimately, it’s all about creating a positive atmosphere around reading. I want them to associate books with comfort, excitement, and adventure. By sharing my love for stories and making reading a joyful part of our lives, I hope to inspire them to carry that passion with them as they grow. The overarching theme of our homeschool is to foster a lifelong love of learning, and reading is a huge part of that. I try to encourage a positive attitude toward reading by avoiding putting pressure on kids to read certain books or at a certain level—I let them progress at their own pace. Sometimes this looks like finding a fun graphic novel to nudge them along or like a little more reading aloud on my part.

In the end, it’s the laughter, the discussions, and those quiet moments together that make it all worthwhile. Fostering a love of reading takes time and patience, but the rewards are immense. By creating a rich reading environment and providing diverse and engaging materials, you can inspire your children to develop a lifelong appreciation for books and stories.