Reading is not just an enjoyable pastime, it is also a powerful tool for brain development, especially in children. Engaging with books from a young age can have a profound impact on cognitive ability and academic achievement. Exposure to new words in books increases vocabulary and language comprehension, which can help kids express themselves more clearly, both in writing and speaking. Kids who read regularly have been shown to develop better attention spans.1 The act of reading different stories about various characters and situations is also helpful for children to begin to understand different perspectives. Childhood is a time to learn how to navigate emotions, and reading a breadth of stories can help with this. Overall, reading has an impact on brain power and aids in overall development. Here are some resources to encourage reading in kids:
Library programs: Public libraries offer a wide range of reading programs for children. Many libraries host book clubs, story hours, and summer reading challenges for kids. The library can also be a great community center to meet other parents and students. In particular, the Free Library of Philadelphia offers ESL classes, homework help, and technology assistance.2
Family reading routine: Setting aside a specific time each day for reading, whether it’s bedtime stories or afternoon reading time, can be helpful to encourage reading as a family activity.
Reading apps: Apps like Epic!, Kindle Kids’ Books, and Readability have been designed to make reading engaging for kids. They offer interactive books, puzzles, and rewards to keep children motivated.
Book recommendations: Two popular websites include Goodreads and Common-Sense Media, which provide age-appropriate book recommendations. You can also filter by a particular genre, ranging from historical fiction to sci-fi to real-world topics.
Public organizations: The national “Reach Out & Reach” organization allows kids to take home a book during their annual well visits at the pediatrician’s office. Their website has a great list of offices and sites that participate in this program.3 The “Dolly Parton Imagination Library” is another program for children up to five years that is free to sign up for, and mails a new age-appropriate book each month. More information can be found at imaginationlibrary.com/usa.4
Incorporating reading into a child’s daily routine can have lasting effects on their cognitive development, emotional growth, and academic success. By making reading a fun and regular part of life—through library programs, family routines, or educational apps—parents and caregivers can nurture a lifelong love of books.
Author: Lavanya Aluri
Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Sources:
1. Houston SM, Lebel C, Katzir T, et al. Reading skill and structural brain development. Neuroreport. 2014;25(5):347-352. doi:10.1097/WNR.0000000000000121
2. Freelibrary. Programs. Free Library of Philadelphia. Accessed February 1, 2025. https://libwww.freelibrary.org/programs/
3. Reach Out and Read. Reach Out and Read. https://reachoutandread.org. Published 2025. Accessed February 1, 2025.
4. Imagination Library. Imagination Library. https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/. Published 2025.
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