March is National Reading Month, a time dedicated to fostering a love of reading in children and adults alike. Reading is not only an essential life skill but also a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and lifelong learning.
The Five Pillars of Reading
Every effective reading instruction program is built on five key pillars that support literacy development:
Phonemic awareness – The ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words, helping children recognize how sounds work together to form words.
Phonics – Understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, which helps children decode words while reading.
Vocabulary – Learning the meaning of words to enhance comprehension. The more words a child knows, the easier it is to understand what they read.
Fluency – Reading with speed, accuracy, and expression so that children can focus on understanding the text rather than struggling to decode words.
Comprehension – The ability to understand and interpret what is read, which is the ultimate goal of reading.
Ways to Celebrate National Reading Month
Daily reading time – Setting aside at least 15–20 minutes a day to read together builds strong literacy skills.
Visit the library – Borrow books, join reading programs, and participate in storytelling events.
Encourage personal choice – Let kids pick books based on their interests, even if the text is a little easier or harder than their usual level. When children are excited about a topic, they are more likely to engage with the material and develop a love for reading.
Explore a variety of genres – From adventure and fantasy to graphic novels and nonfiction, exposing children to different genres helps them find what truly excites them.
Encourage discussions – Asking children about what they read helps improve comprehension and critical thinking.
This March, let’s celebrate the power of reading and help kids discover the joy of books! KathleenDavisBooks.com