International Read To Me Day
International Read To Me Day, on March 19th, brings people together to celebrate the magic of reading. It's a day where kids are encouraged to ask adults to read out loud to them, spotlighting the importance of shared reading moments.
Celebrate shared reading moments with families and communities by positioning your brand as a champion of literacy and childhood development on March 19th.
- Host a cozy in-store reading corner or pajama party event to drive foot traffic and family engagement
- Partner with local schools and libraries to donate books and build brand goodwill in the community
- Create social media campaigns featuring user-generated reading moments with branded hashtags to amplify reach
- Develop book-themed product tie-ins (snacks, crafts, merchandise) that extend the reading experience beyond the page
The origin of this day traces back to the efforts of the Child Writes Foundation, which recognized the growing concern around adult literacy globally and the impact it has on children’s reading habits.
The foundation understood that literacy is a cornerstone skill that not only facilitates learning but also fosters social connections and opens up future opportunities for children.
The day was established to encourage children to remind adults to read to them, thereby making reading a celebrated activity. It acknowledges that literacy is not just an individual’s skill but a collective responsibility that requires community involvement.
Celebrating International Read To Me Day involves simple yet powerful acts of reading to a child, whether it’s a family member, student, or any young person in need of inspiration.
This day serves as a reminder of the joy and benefits of reading, including the enhancement of vocabulary, the stimulation of creativity, and the overall support of cognitive development.
International Read To Me Day has grown to not just focus on children but also to highlight the ongoing need for adults to improve their reading skills. By bringing communities together to share in the joy of reading, it aims to create a ripple effect, encouraging a lifelong love for reading and learning.
The day’s activities often involve organizing reading sessions, sharing books, and using social media to inspire others to participate. Through these efforts, International Read To Me Day continues to advocate for the importance of literacy and the power of reading to connect people and ideas.
Host a Story Marathon
Grab your favorite children’s books and set up a cozy reading corner at your local library or living room. Invite friends and family to join in and take turns reading out loud. This can turn into a wonderful storytelling festival that celebrates the joy of reading together.
Pajama Reading Party
Why not make reading an all-day affair? Encourage kids and adults to stay in their pajamas and read their favorite stories to each other. This comfy and casual approach makes reading even more enjoyable.
Book-Themed Snack Time
Get creative in the kitchen by preparing snacks that are inspired by popular children’s books. Whether it’s “Green Eggs and Ham” or “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” tasty treats can make the reading even more memorable.
Craft a Story
After reading a book, encourage children to create their own stories or draw pictures based on their favorite moments. This activity not only supports creativity but also helps kids express what they’ve learned and enjoyed.
Share the Love on Social Media
Share your reading moments on social media to spread the word about the importance of reading aloud. Use hashtags like #InternationalReadToMeDay to connect with a global community of readers.
Donate Books
Gather gently used books and donate them to local schools, libraries, or children’s hospitals. This act of kindness can help spread the joy of reading to those who might not have access to books.
Nighttime Story Under the Stars
If the weather permits, set up a blanket outside and read stories by flashlight or lantern light. This magical setting under the stars can turn reading time into an adventure. By incorporating these activities into your celebration of International Read To Me Day, you’re not just promoting literacy. In fact, you’re also creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds through the shared love of stories. The Science Behind Why Reading Aloud MattersReading to children does far more than entertain them for a few quiet minutes.Research shows that shared reading shapes brain development, builds language networks, strengthens early learning skills, and exposes children to richer vocabulary.These findings highlight how a simple daily habit can support both cognitive growth and long-term academic success.Reading Aloud Strengthens Young Children’s Language Networks Functional MRI research has found that preschool children whose caregivers frequently read aloud to them show greater activation in brain areas that support visual imagery and narrative comprehension, including the left parietal and temporal regions, compared with children who are read to less often. This suggests that hearing stories helps organize neural pathways for processing language and meaning long before children begin to read on their own. Early Shared Reading Predicts Stronger Kindergarten Skills and Behavior A longitudinal study of U.S. families found that parents who read more often with their infants and toddlers had children who, by kindergarten, demonstrated larger vocabularies, better early reading skills, and fewer attention and behavioral problems in the classroom. The researchers concluded that shared reading shapes both cognitive and social-emotional development through enriched language exposure and positive parent–child interaction. Storybooks Supply Children With Rarer Words Than Daily Conversation Analyses of adult–child speech show that picture books expose children to a much higher proportion of infrequent and sophisticated words than typical caregiver talk, even when parents are highly educated. Because school texts and academic subjects rely heavily on these rarer terms, listening to storybooks read aloud can give children a valuable boost in vocabulary that everyday conversation alone is unlikely to provide. Bedtime Reading Routines Are Linked With Better Sleep and Behavior Pediatric sleep guidance notes that when families follow a calm, predictable bedtime routine that includes reading a story, children tend to fall asleep more quickly, wake less often during the night, and show fewer behavior difficulties during the day. The quiet one-on-one time, paired with familiar narratives, appears to help children wind down physiologically while also feeling secure and emotionally connected. Digital Storybooks Can Also Boost Vocabulary and Phonological Skills A meta-analysis of e-book interventions for young children found that well-designed digital storybooks, especially those with interactive features that support the text, can significantly improve vocabulary learning and phonological awareness compared with regular practice. The benefits were strongest when adults guided children’s use of the e-books rather than leaving them to explore the stories entirely on their own. Massive Global Literacy Gaps Persist Into the 21st Century UNESCO reports that hundreds of millions of adults and young people worldwide still lack basic reading and writing skills, with women making up nearly two-thirds of the adult population who cannot read. In many low- and middle-income countries, a large majority of late primary school children are still unable to understand a simple written passage, underscoring how fragile early reading development can be when resources and support are scarce. Third-Grade Reading Proficiency Strongly Tracks Later School Success An analysis of U.S. educational records by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that children who were not proficient readers by the end of third grade were four times more likely to leave high school without a diploma than proficient readers. The researchers noted that once children fall behind in reading at this stage, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to keep up in other subjects that depend on reading to learn new content. International Read To Me Day FAQsHow does reading aloud actually support a child’s brain development? Reading aloud exposes children to richer vocabulary and more complex sentences than everyday conversation, which helps build neural connections that support language, memory, and attention. Longitudinal studies show that children who are read to frequently develop stronger reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general knowledge than peers who are not regularly read to. [1]Is there an ideal age to start reading aloud to a child, and does it still help older kids? Experts recommend reading aloud from birth, since even infants benefit from hearing rhythm, tone, and the patterns of language. Research finds that reading aloud throughout the preschool and early school years continues to boost vocabulary, listening comprehension, and motivation to read, and older children can still gain from shared reading of more complex texts that they might not yet manage independently. [1]What makes an effective read‑aloud session from an educator’s or librarian’s perspective? Effective read‑alouds are interactive rather than passive. Many educators use “dialogic reading,” where adults pause to ask open questions, invite predictions, connect the story to children’s experiences, and explain new words. This approach turns the child into a storyteller and has been shown to improve language skills more than simply reading straight through a book. [1]How does the home reading environment influence a child’s long-term literacy outcomes? Studies across several countries show that having books at home and being read to regularly are strongly associated with better reading skills, higher school achievement, and more positive attitudes toward reading. Children who grow up in homes with more books and frequent shared reading tend to perform better academically, even after accounting for family income and parents’ education. [1]Why is adult literacy so important for children’s reading success worldwide? Globally, hundreds of millions of youth and adults still lack basic literacy skills, which can limit their ability to read to children, help with homework, or model everyday reading habits. International literacy organizations note that improving adult literacy is closely tied to better educational outcomes for the next generation, since literate adults are more likely to create print‑rich homes and support children’s learning. [1] Do children still benefit from being read to once they can read on their own? Even after children become independent readers, listening to more advanced books read aloud exposes them to complex plots, challenging vocabulary, and sophisticated ideas they may not yet choose or manage alone. Research on voluntary reading shows that this kind of rich exposure supports ongoing vocabulary growth, comprehension, and motivation to read for pleasure. [1]How does reading for pleasure differ from reading for school, and why does it matter? Reading for pleasure is voluntary and self‑directed, unlike assigned reading for school. Education and library services report that children who read for enjoyment tend to have stronger literacy, better social skills, and improved health and learning outcomes. Regular, enjoyable shared reading at home often acts as a bridge that helps children develop into lifelong voluntary readers. [1]