A new year is a chance to start fresh and try new goals. One of the best goals a child can make is a reading resolution. Reading helps your brain grow, builds your imagination, and makes learning easier in every subject. Scientists and educators have found that children who read often tend to do better in school and feel more confident when learning new things.¹

Setting a reading resolution does not mean reading perfectly or finishing huge books. It means trying your best and enjoying the journey. Here are five reading resolutions that elementary school children can set for the new year.

1. Read Every Day for at Least 10 Minutes

Reading every day helps your brain practice just like exercise helps your body. When you read a little bit each day, your brain learns to recognize words faster and understand stories more easily. Research shows that daily reading strengthens comprehension and builds long term reading skills.²

Ten minutes might not sound like much, but it can make a big difference over time. You could read before school, after dinner, or right before bed. Some days you might want to read longer and that is great too. The most important part is making reading a daily habit that feels calm and enjoyable.

2. Choose Books You Are Excited to Read

Reading should feel fun, not stressful. One of the best ways to become a strong reader is to choose books that match your interests. If you like animals, try animal stories or nonfiction books about wildlife. If you like jokes, comics or funny chapter books are great choices.

Studies show that children read more and understand stories better when they are interested in the books they choose.³ It is okay if a book feels too easy or too hard. The goal is to find books that feel just right and make you want to keep turning the pages.

3. Talk About What You Read

Talking about books helps you understand them better. After you finish reading, try telling someone what the story was about. You can talk about your favorite part, a character you liked, or something that surprised you.

Researchers have found that discussing books helps children remember what they read and think more deeply about the story.⁴ Even simple conversations like “What happened first?” or “Why did the character feel sad?” can make reading more meaningful. You can talk with a parent, sibling, teacher, or even a friend.

4. Try a New Type of Book Each Month

There are many different kinds of books, and each one teaches your brain something new. This year, try reading a new type of book each month. You might explore mysteries, biographies, poetry, science books, or historical stories.

Reading a variety of books helps children build background knowledge and stronger thinking skills.¹ You may discover a new favorite genre that you never tried before. Trying new books can feel like going on a small adventure every month.

5. Write About What You Read

Writing and reading work best together. After finishing a book, try writing a few sentences about it. You can write what the book was about, what you liked, or whether you would recommend it to a friend. You can also write your own short stories inspired by what you read.

Research shows that writing about reading improves comprehension and helps children understand stories more clearly.¹ Writing does not have to be perfect. It can be done in a notebook, on a piece of paper, or even as a drawing with words.

Happy New Year and happy reading!

References

Child Mind Institute. (n.d.). Importance of reading to children. https://childmind.org/article/why-is-it-important-to-read-to-your-child/
Wanzek, J., Denton, C. A., Hall, C., & Scammacca, N. (2021). Meta analysis of the effects of reading interventions on reading comprehension for primary grade students. Learning and Individual Differences.
National Assessment of Educational Progress. (2025, February 4). Latest national report card says kids’ reading scores have hit all time lows. Parents.com.
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Strategies for achieving the goal of every child reading. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/about-reading/articles/strategies-achieving-goal-every-child-reading