Los buenos lectores no nacen, se forman. Este es un recordatorio importante: el desarrollo de la lectura no necesita solo programas especiales. Crece a través de las interacciones diarias, las relaciones y los pequeños momentos en casa que tienen mucho significado.
¿Por Qué Es Importante la Lectura?
Las habilidades de lectura y lenguaje son la base para el éxito en la escuela, la comunicación y el aprendizaje durante toda la vida. Además, leer juntos fortalece las relaciones, despierta la curiosidad y ayuda a que los niños se sientan seguros y con confianza.
Formas Prácticas para Apoyar la Lectura en Casa
Bebés (0–2 años)
Incluso los bebés aprenden del lenguaje que escuchan. Anime a los cuidadores a hablar, cantar y describir lo que hacen cada día. Los libros resistentes se pueden explorar libremente—tocarlos, pasar las páginas e incluso morderlos es parte del aprendizaje.
Niños pequeños (2–3 años)
La repetición es muy importante. Leer el mismo cuento varias veces ayuda a aprender palabras nuevas y entender mejor la historia. Hacer preguntas simples los mantiene interesados.
Preescolares (3–5 años)
La imaginación crece rápidamente. Contar historias, reales o inventadas, ayuda a desarrollar la creatividad. Jugar con rimas y sonidos fortalece las bases de la lectura.
Niños en edad escolar (6–10 años)
La constancia es clave. Leer todos los días, aunque sean 10–15 minutos, hace una gran diferencia. Dejar que los niños elijan sus libros aumenta su interés y motivación.
Adolescentes (11+ años)
La lectura sigue siendo importante en esta etapa. Respetar lo que les gusta leer—libros, artículos o novelas gráficas—los mantiene interesados. Hablar sobre temas reales ayuda a desarrollar su forma de pensar.
Hacer la Lectura Parte de la Vida Diaria: Cada palabra que se habla, cada historia que se comparte y cada conversación ayuda al desarrollar.
Strong readers aren’t born, they’re nurtured. This is a powerful reminder that literacy development doesn’t require specialized programs. It grows through everyday interactions, relationships, and small, meaningful moments at home.
Why Literacy Matters
Reading and language skills are the foundation for academic achievement, communication, and lifelong learning. Just as important, shared reading experiences strengthen relationships, spark curiosity, and build a child’s sense of belonging and confidence.
Spend time at your local library this summer, join the Summer Reading Program, and your child will become comfortable around books. The Library has books for all ages and interests. The links below will guide you to the Library’s online catalog. Request a book online, and it will be ready to pick up the next time you visit the library. Or make a note and ask a librarian to help you find it the next time you visit.
Practical Ways Families Can Support Literacy
Babies (0–2 years)
Even the youngest children benefit from language-rich environments. Encourage caregivers to talk, sing, and describe daily routines. Board books can be explored freely by touching, flipping pages, and even chewing! All these activities are part of early learning.
Toddlers (2–3 years)
Repetition is key at this stage. Go ahead and read the same story multiple times! Toddlers build vocabulary and comprehension through this process. Ask simple questions to keep them engaged.
Preschoolers (3–5 years)
Imagination and language skills expand rapidly. Encourage storytelling—whether real or pretend—to build creativity and narrative skills. Playing with rhymes and sounds (alliterations, onomatopoeias) will strengthen early reading foundations.
School-Age Children (6–10 years)
Consistency and choice matter. Even 10–15 minutes of daily reading can have a significant impact. Allow children to choose what they read – you will increase motivation and enjoyment.
Teenagers (11+ years)
Literacy continues to evolve in adolescence. Respecting teens’ reading preferences, whether books, articles, or graphic novels, keeps them engaged. Connecting reading to real-world topics helps develop perspective and reasoning.
Making Literacy Part of Everyday Life: Every word spoken, every story shared, and every conversation held contributes to a child’s development.
While logged in, you also have access to The New York Times InEducation, which provides curated reading lists across 12 disciplines of study.
If you have questions about accessing the NYT, please contact NYT@library.ca.gov.
Find your next great read. Learn more about books and genres you like with Novelist Plus.
Still can’t find what you are looking for? Go to our catalog page and select “Make a Purchase Suggestion” under the Books and More drop-down menu.
Free access to The New York Times Online for 72 hours. Click on the “REDEEM” button. Then create an account or log in with your email address and password. For more information, please watch the short videos which can be found on the Research page. If you have questions about accessing the NYT, please contact NYT@library.ca.gov.
Find your next great read. Learn more about books and genres you like with Novelist Plus.