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Reading for Fun Impacts Long-Term Success: What Parents Can Do at Home 

Stories & Spotlights
Student reading a book

Reading strengthens memory, speech, comprehension and academic achievement. Students who read for pleasure early in life perform better on cognitive tests as teens. However, if children fall behind in reading, catching up becomes more difficult.  

Reading is becoming a rare habit among today’s youth. In 2023, only 14% of 13-year-olds in the U.S. reported reading for enjoyment most days — a trend that’s concerning given its long-term impact on learning and success. 

By fourth grade, reading comprehension becomes essential, and students who aren’t proficient by then often struggle to stay engaged in school and risk not graduating. Unfortunately, 46% of fourth graders in Oklahoma read below the basic achievement level. 

Research-Based Instruction is Key 

Decades of research have shaped how we teach reading at Insight School of Oklahoma (ISOK). The Science of Reading is a proven, research-backed approach that focuses on five essential skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.  

While all Oklahoma public schools are required to train their teachers in the Science of Reading, ISOK has adopted this method for reading instruction.  

“The Science of Reading helps us identify and address the root causes of reading challenges,” said Emma Avery, an English teacher at ISOK. 

Parents Play an Important Role 

Making reading part of daily life helps children see it as enjoyable, not just homework. That’s why it’s important for parents to partner with their child’s teachers to encourage reading at home. 

“I often hear from parents that regular communication and feedback from teachers is essential to helping their child develop positive reading habits,” said Avery. 

She suggests a few activities to make reading more fun for families: 

  • Read together or listen to audiobooks. 
  • Pair books with their movie adaptations. 
  • Create a cozy reading nook. 
  • Try reading challenges or explore new genres. 
  • Join local library programs or book clubs. 

Together, families and ISOK can nurture strong readers and open doors to a world of possibilities! 

Do you want your child to have a research-based reading education that will set them up for success? Enroll with ISOK and foster a love for reading to help your child thrive in school and beyond. 

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