2026- The Year of Reading for Children and Families
- Teacher Tolu
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 23
Dear Parents,
The Department for Education has designated 2026 as the Year of Reading, and at the Mighty Readers Ebook and Mentoring Club, this could not be closer to our heart.
Reading should not be an activity reserved only for children or schools. It is most powerful when it becomes a family culture. When families read together, something deeper than literacy is formed.
Why 2026 Should Be a Year of Reading for the Whole Family?
Reading helps families understand each other better
Stories open doors into thoughts, emotions, fears, and hopes. Reading together creates shared reference points that help parents and children understand one another more deeply.
It fosters communication, openness, and growth
Books naturally lead to conversations. They encourage children to ask questions and give parents opportunities to listen, guide, and speak into their child’s world in a safe and meaningful way.
It helps parents shape values and worldview
Gladys Hunt, in her timeless book Honey for a Child’s Heart, reminds us that:“Good books are good teachers because they provide for the kind of character we hope to see developed in our children.” Through stories, families can discuss truth, choices, consequences, faith, courage, kindness, and integrity.
It develops reasoning, empathy, and decision-making skills
Discussing characters, motives, and outcomes helps children learn what to think, and more importantly, how to think. These conversations build empathy and strengthen how children relate to others.
It strengthens core literacy skills
From an early age, reading develops vocabulary, comprehension, recall, retention, and fact-finding skills. These are foundations for academic success across all subjects.
It gives children a broader perspective on life
Books widen horizons. They introduce children to different cultures, ideas, challenges, and possibilities beyond their immediate environment.
It builds focus, patience, and imagination
In a fast-paced digital world, reading teaches children to slow down, concentrate, and think deeply.
How Can Families Make This Happen in 2026?
It begins with SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE
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If reading truly matters, children need to see it lived out. How often have your children seen you absorbed in a book? Have you ever chosen to finish a cherished book over watching television or scrolling on a phone? Is the television the most prominent feature in your home, or the bookshelf?
Consider these questions:
How often do you visit a bookstore or library as a family?
What reading habits do your children observe daily?
What could realistically change this year?
Set Reading Goals as a Family
Small, clear targets make reading sustainable.
Download our Mighty Readers Reading Target Setting Sheet and decide:
How often you will read together
What times work best
How many books each family member aims to read
Don’t wait. Start today,
Even 15 minutes of shared reading can grow into a beloved family tradition, regardless of your children’s ages.
Want Extra Support? Join the Mighty Readers
To further develop a love for reading in your child,
Mighty Readers Ebook Club provides a relaxed, convenient online environment where children develop literacy, reading, and comprehension skills. We have been running for over 5 years, with consistently positive feedback from parents and visible progress in children’s confidence and ability.
More Resources for Parents and Families
The Mighty Readers New Word Bank
A fun and practical journal for young readers to record new words, meanings, and example sentences. With inspiring quotes and interesting book facts, it supports vocabulary growth and makes a thoughtful gift.
Please Note: GCSE Maths Tutoring
Tutoring spaces are currently available for GCSE Maths.
The 30-30 Prayer Devotional
Written for busy parents, professionals, and all who care about education, this devotional invites intentional prayer for our schools. With focused prayer points and relevant Bible verses, it is suitable for daily, weekly, or monthly use.
If you have been encouraged by this message, please feel free to share it with friends and contacts, and invite them to join our mailing list.
Here’s to a year of clarity, growth, and meaningful progress.
Warm regards,
Tolu Adewole
Edupalaver Solutions
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