6 Powerful Reasons to Teach Your Child to Read Early

Reading is more than just a subject taught in school—it's the strong roots of every other subject, the rich soil that helps young minds grow strong and thrive, and the key to lifelong learning! Parents and teachers play a powerful role in shaping children’s love for books, words, and learning from an early age. Every child is like a seed with incredible potential, and reading is one of the most powerful tools you can use to nurture that growth. So why does teaching your child and students to read matter so much? Let’s dig into the reasons.

1. Reading Unlocks the World Around Them

From street signs and cereal boxes to storybooks and school assignments, reading is everywhere. When a child learns to read, they’re no longer dependent on someone else to explain the world—they begin to explore, question, and discover for themselves. Reading builds confidence and independence by giving kids the tools to engage with the world in new and meaningful ways. Roots start to take hold when curiosity blossoms into a lifelong love of learning.

One of the most powerful ways to support this journey is by giving your child access to the right kinds of books. Beginner reading sets—like Bob Books, Elephant & Piggie, and Step Into Reading—are designed to match your child’s reading level while keeping them engaged and successful. With simple words, fun stories, and friendly illustrations, these books help early readers build fluency and feel proud of their progress. When reading feels approachable and fun, children grow into confident, curious learners ready to unlock all that the world has to offer.

Encourage independence, boost confidence, and help your child fall in love with reading with these popular beginner book sets for early readers:

Bob Books Set 1: Beginning Readers — Perfect for early phonics and building first words.

Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection — Silly, expressive stories that make kids laugh and want to read more.

Pete the Cat Phonics Box Set — Rhythmic and colorful, great for reinforcing early reading through fun.

National Geographic Kids Readers Pre-Reader Set — Real photos and facts perfect for curious little learners.

2. Early Reading Builds Strong, Healthy Brains

Just like sunlight helps a plant grow, reading lights up your child’s brain. Studies show that the earlier a child begins to develop literacy skills, the stronger their brain connections become. Reading activates areas of the brain that help with language, memory, focus, and critical thinking. Children who are read to and encouraged to read early on often have better vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills. When you read with your child, you're not just helping them learn new words—you're building a brain ready to think, question, and grow smarter and stronger from the ground up.

To make brain-building even more fun and hands-on, try adding some learning-themed tools to your child’s or student’s space! 🧠

Brain Squishy Squeeze Ball — And for some silly, squishy fun, this squishy brain stress ball or brain hat is a great conversation starter. Kids can squeeze it while reading, learning, or even while talking about how their brain works. It’s a playful way to encourage curiosity and start healthy discussions about how we grow our minds.

Growing Super Absorbent Brain — This colorful growing brain toy is a great visual reminder that just like their muscles, their brain gets stronger every time they learn something new. It’s perfect for reinforcing the idea that learning is exciting—and it makes a fun science experiment, too! 

3. Reading Sets the Stage for Educational Success

Reading is the root of academic success. Whether it's solving a math problem, understanding a science experiment, or following directions, strong reading skills are essential. Children who read well in the early years are more likely to do well in other subjects, perform confidently on assessments, and develop a positive attitude toward learning. A child who can read is a child who can learn independently and with joy. Teaching your child to read early plants the strong roots they need to grow and thrive throughout a lifetime of learning.

Highlight Reading Strips — (also called guided reading strips or tracking rulers) are simple yet powerful tools designed to help beginning or struggling readers stay focused while reading.

Mini LED Clip-On Book Lights — Mini LED clip-on book lights make reading feel special and exciting, turning bedtime into a cozy, focused learning moment. They encourage consistent reading habits by giving kids a fun tool that makes books accessible anytime, anywhere.

4. Reading Sparks Imagination and Creativity

Reading opens the imagination like sunshine to a budding flower introducing kids to new worlds, people, and ideas. It helps children dream big, think differently, and see life from many perspectives. Whether they’re reading about jungle explorers or animal friendships, books grow empathy, creativity, and wonder—the qualities we want in strong, thoughtful learners.

Reading Pointer — a fun finger pointers or wands help with word tracking

Whisper Phones — a play phone that kids can quietly hear themselves read aloud to boost fluency

5. Reading Strengthens Bonds

Reading together is not just building literacy—it’s a special way to connect. Those quiet moments, silly stories, and shared laughs create powerful emotional connections showing children that reading is not just something we do—it's something we can share. And when children associate reading with connection and warmth, they build a positive association with reading and  they’re more likely to reach for books on their own. Additionally, you can make reading more fun and engaging by using tools like the following: 

Reading Stickers — Reading stickers add a fun, interactive way to celebrate milestones and achievements, encouraging children to stay motivated and feel proud as they build their reading skills together.

Kids Reading Tent — A cozy reading tent creates a special, inviting space where children and caregivers can snuggle up together, turning storytime into a memorable bonding experience that makes reading feel like a shared adventure.

Reading Bean Bag — A comfortable reading bean bag provides a cozy spot that invites children to relax and immerse themselves in stories, making shared reading moments even more enjoyable and strengthening the bond between reader and listener.

6. It’s a Lifelong Tool for Success

Reading is a skill your child will use every day of their life. From learning how to drive to following a recipe or completing a job application—reading matters. Teaching your child to read sets them up not just for academic success, but for a life full of possibilities and potential.

Learning is most powerful when children can connect what they read to everyday life—helping them grow confidence, independence, and curiosity through meaningful play and practical experiences. These thoughtfully designed products help children connect their reading skills to everyday life through fun, hands-on learning experiences.

Children’s Daily Routine Charts — Helps kids understand and organize daily tasks, linking reading to real-life time management and responsibility.

Educational Board Games Focused on Words — Combine fun with literacy skills like spelling, vocabulary, and sentence-building.

Kid-Friendly Cookbooks — Invites children to follow simple recipes, boosting reading comprehension while fostering independence in the kitchen.

Kids’ Calendar Planners — Teach time management and reading comprehension through daily planning activities

Kids’ Library Card Kits — Encourage responsibility and excitement about borrowing books, making reading a regular habit.

Learning Resources Pretend Driver’s License Kit — Provides a fun way to explore reading signs and instructions, preparing kids for real-world driving knowledge and safety.

Pretend & Play School Set — Encourages imaginative role play that mirrors real classroom experiences, building social and cognitive skills.

Word and Picture Matching Puzzles — Reinforce word recognition and meaning through engaging, hands-on challenges.

Final Thoughts

Every child learns to read at their own pace, but starting early and making reading a joyful, everyday experience makes all the difference. Whether your child or student is just learning their ABCs or beginning to sound out words, your support and encouragement matter more than you know.

So read together. Laugh together. Learn together. Because when you teach children to read, you’re giving them the tools to learn anything, become anyone, and go anywhere.