Play Is Practice: Supporting Reading Through Everyday Activities
What You Will Learn
Why reading grows best through consistency, connection, and meaning
How everyday activities support reading development
Dyslexia-friendly ways to reinforce reading without pressure
Simple ideas that build confidence, connection, and skill
You do not need to push reading. You can build it into each day. During the holidays, reading can a part of shared moments and everyday routines. When children experience reading as safe, useful, and connected to people they trust, growth follows.
There will be times when your child does not want to join you. That is okay. You can keep reading anyway, out loud or quietly nearby, without expectation. When children see reading happening in a safe, relaxed way, they begin to trust it. They may not join you that day. Over time, when it feels safe and familiar, many children naturally lean in.
Below are simple, practical ways to support reading through daily life, especially during busy seasons like the holidays.
Why Reading Grows Through Connection and Consistency
Play and everyday interactions naturally engage curiosity, attention, and motivation. When language is experienced in context, children strengthen vocabulary, comprehension, sequencing, and sound awareness without the pressure of performance.
When reading is part of daily life, children begin to see it as a useful tool rather than something to get through. That perspective supports both learning and emotional safety.
Reading Does Not Have to Look Academic
Some parents worry that if reading does not resemble schoolwork, it does not count. This belief can unintentionally create tension or resistance.
In practice, children often learn best when reading feels approachable and achievable. Gentle exposure builds willingness. Willingness builds practice. Practice builds skill. Skill builds fun.
Reading becomes more effective when it feels safe and achievable.
Practical, Dyslexia-Friendly Ways to Build Reading Through Daily Life
Read and Cook Together Using Recipe or Cookie Books
Cooking naturally blends reading, sequencing, and shared attention.
Read ingredients aloud
Follow steps in order
Write or decorate simple recipe cards
This turns reading into a shared, purposeful activity with a meaningful outcome.
Label Reading in Everyday Life
Everyday print offers powerful opportunities for reinforcement.
Read food labels together
Notice familiar words on packaging
Label household items with simple word cards
Seeing words repeatedly in familiar contexts builds recognition and confidence.
Audiobooks and Read-Alouds
Audiobooks allow children to access rich language and stories even while decoding skills are still developing.
Listen during car rides or quiet time
Talk about the story and characters
Follow along with print when possible
Listening supports vocabulary, comprehension, and connection to stories without added pressure.
Holiday and Seasonal Stories
Familiar stories create comfort and confidence.
Re-read favorite holiday or seasonal books
Talk about story order and key events
Let your child choose what to revisit
Familiar stories reduce cognitive load and support fluency. When children have a choice, their interest increases, and their reading stamina grows.
The Power of Supportive Language During the Holidays
When language feels encouraging and light, children are more willing to engage and try again.
Simple, supportive phrases can make reading feel safe and positive:
“I noticed how hard you worked.”
“Let’s figure this out together.”
“Your brain learns differently, and that is okay.”
During the holidays, these moments of encouragement remind children that reading can be imperfect and still meaningful. Warm, reassuring words help build trust, resilience, and confidence, keeping reading connected to joy, family traditions, and shared moments that matter.
How Can We Help?
JUMP Reading offers one-to-one online reading support grounded in structured literacy and dyslexia-informed instruction.
Explore our Resource Library, learn more about Orton-Gillingham instruction, or schedule a consultation to learn how we can support your child’s unique learning journey.
