Reading is a good marker of future success. If a child is proficient at reading by the time he or she reaches the 4th grade, they are more likely to go further in school and stay out of trouble.

Reading provides numerous benefits. Even illustrated children’s books contain more words than TV. People who read at least 7 books per year are more than 2x likely to be a millionaire.

Reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background.

UCL

And there are many, many more.

But raising a lifelong reader, and therefore a lifelong learner, won’t happen by accident. It is 100% up to the parents. And these days, it’s harder than ever. You are fighting against the allure of electronic devices and video games.

33% of U.S. high school graduates never read a book after high school. 80% of U.S. families have not purchased a book this year.

Literacy Inc.

It doesn’t take much to be ahead of the majority of families, but you want your children to continue reading after they leave your house. That means they need to love reading. Here are some ways to cultivate that love.