NATIONAL LITERACY MONTH: September is National Literacy Month, and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading proficiency by third grade is one of the most important predictors of whether a student will graduate high school and succeed in a career.

— “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” — Jhumpa Lahiri—

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, 32 million adults in the U.S. still can’t read.

Brainly, the world’s leading online learning platform, shares tips from their parenting expert Patrick Quinn to help parents encourage their kids to read for fun more often, including:

— Offer reading rewards. For every 10 books your child reads, allow him/her to choose a prize from a bin of dollar store goodies or earn some type of coveted privilege.

— Pick books for your child that feature topics and themes he or she is already interested in.

— Make a themed reading nook. Work with your child to make it an area where they’d want to hang out, which makes reading time even more special and appealing. Some themes might include under the sea, a Native American teepee, a princess palace, or outer space.

— Set a good example. The best way for kids to become more vivacious readers and to cultivate a love of reading is to learn by example from their parents. Parents who read often are more than twice as likely to have kids who like to read.

— “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” — Stephen King—