Illustration of a child reading under a tree.
Q&A

Reading doesn’t take a break: Supporting young readers year-round

BY DANIELLE LEGARE

School’s out, but a love for reading never takes a vacation.

Ashlee Campbell.

As summer begins—a season filled with adventure, free time and opportunities to get lost in a good book—GSE’s Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction (CLaRI) continues its mission to support young readers and their families.

Ashlee A. Campbell is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction at the University at Buffalo and associate director of ClaRI. With expertise in curriculum and instruction, early childhood and elementary education, literacy assessment and reading instruction, Campbell is dedicated to advancing literacy education.

"Our hope is that children want to read when they get home—just because it’s so cool. The whole point is to get them used to reading and how enjoyable it is,” said Campbell.

Campbell offers parents the following expert tips to foster a reading-friendly environment at home.

Question.

Why is it important for parents to create a reading-friendly environment at home?

Answer.

Establishing such an environment helps nurture a love for books and literacy from an early age. It encourages children to see reading as a daily habit rather than a chore, so it becomes a natural and enjoyable part of their routine.

Question.

What are some ways parents can incorporate reading into their child’s daily schedule?

Answer.

One of the most effective ways is to set a regular reading time each day. Whether it’s after dinner or after playtime, having a consistent reading routine helps children unwind and develop a habit of reading. This can be independent reading or family reading sessions. The key is to make sure the time is free from distractions like iPads or TVs.

Question.

How can parents encourage children to stay engaged in reading?

Answer.

Allowing children to choose their own reading material is a great way to keep them engaged. Taking trips to the library or bookstore and letting them select books that interest them—whether it’s graphic novels, magazines or other reading materials—can make reading feel more exciting. While it’s important to ensure the content is developmentally appropriate, giving children the freedom to choose fosters a genuine love for books.

Question.

What if parents struggle to find time for reading?

Answer.

Incorporating audiobooks and reading aloud can be a great solution, especially for busy families. Audiobooks expose children to new vocabulary and stories and can be listened to during car rides. Free apps like Libby, which connect to public libraries, provide access to audiobooks that children can enjoy. Parents can also engage in buddy reading, alternating pages or paragraphs, or simply listen to audiobooks together. This approach allows children to enjoy books that may be too advanced for them to read on their own.

Question.

So what is “flexible thinking”?

Answer.

One of the things I thought about when writing the article was, for beginning therapists, how hard it is to sit with “I don't know…”: “I don't know what the diagnosis is,” “I don't know this person's background.” I also thought about Western culture, versus the East. The Eastern approach is frequently “yes, and” rather than “either/or.” For most people, it is much easier to see the black and white. I also was inspired by my teenage son, who is always so sure about everything.

Question.

Why is it important to be flexible?

Answer.

If you jump to certainty, you are short-changing yourself. You're not looking at all the options; you're going down the well-trodden path. With everything that’s going on in the world, especially U.S. politics, it's important to say, maybe we're both right. Or to ask questions: What about your point of view? Do we have common ground? We are surrounded with algorithms that confirm our own point of view, so we have to work at staying flexible and agile. When we are flexible, we are able to innovate, to change perspective. We can move away from “the way things have been done before.”

Question.

How does this mesh with your research?

Answer.

I think about what the body is saying—that integration between body and mind. Much of how I deal with things is nonbinary. It’s about how the mind and the body inform each other. For example, by modifying your breathing, you can calm down your mind. The article is a call to nonextreme thinking—to looking at spectrums rather than even a diagnosis. Instead of “is a person ill or are they healthy,” there’s a continuum. I want to encourage people to explore that continuum and to sit with “I don't quite know.” It can be uncomfortable.

Question.

You mentioned world events and politics…

Answer.

Yes. It’s important to acknowledge current events in the privacy of the therapy room. They affect people on individual levels. I try to provide space to listen and to acknowledge where people are coming from. When I have conversations, I no longer try to change anyone’s mind. I can't do that; if someone's not ready to change, they won't change. But rather than judge negatively, I choose to say, "Okay let's try again." Let’s listen to each other because we've got to start somewhere.

"Our hope is that children want to read when they get home—just because it’s so cool. The whole point is to get them used to reading and how enjoyable it is,” said Campbell.