When the New Year Quietly Fades: Building Reading Habits That Actually Last
“There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.”
— May Ellen Chase
As we settle into 2026, and the celebrations and adrenaline start giving way to regular and familiar habits for the year, or new ones that we did not manage to work on last year.
The start of a new year often brings good intentions.
We think about the kind of routines we want to build, the moments we want to protect, and the habits we hope will shape our children’s days.
When Reading Becomes a Tradition
In many families, traditions aren’t grand or seasonal — they’re simply the moments that happen often enough to feel familiar.
· To spend more time together, have family dinners at least four times a week.
· Spend 1 weekend doing what the child wants – like having a “yes” day.
· Sometimes it’s simply to slow down at the end of the day.
Sometimes it could just be a simple promise to read more.
Reading not only gives a child pleasure but also helps them grow. What often starts as a resolution slowly turns into a rhythm, a familiar moment that belongs to both parent and child.
A reading habit does not require perfection. Some nights are restless. Some pages are skipped. Some nights, you get through an entire book with no issues. It is the activity's constant that is important. The process of appearing and doing it repeatedly provides a sense of safety, security, and slowly builds the habit for your child.
Family Bonds Built One Page at a Time
Reading together is not only about the story.
It’s about that moment where the two of you are sitting next to each other, in bed, on the sofa. That moment of being there with your child – reading, laughing or just sharing something that happened. It is about establishing an environment where a child feels comfortable asking questions and fantasising.
These core shared moments are not about finishing a book or teaching your child. They should be enjoyed and free from expectations. In these unhurried moments, children learn that this is their safe space. That their voice and thoughts matter.
As these repeated moments form a habit, it becomes something children carry with them as a feeling of acknowledgement and love.
Stories That Grow With Children
Children grow quickly, and their relationship with stories grows with them.
A character they once loved for their adventure may later be loved for their kindness or courage. A story that once felt exciting may later feel comforting. When children see themselves reflected in a story, it evolves with them.
Stories that a child keeps going back to – especially one that has been personalised for them – do not stay fixed in one age or stage. With each read, children come back to the story with fresh eyes or with new understandings. There will likely be different moments they focus on, or a new emotion or idea they see as they revisit the story book. This is how a story becomes a quiet symbol of growth.
At StoryVerse Land, this belief – that stories help children grow – sits at the heart of what we create. By placing the child at the centre of the story and making them the hero of their own tale, we invite them to explore the world through another lens. Allowing them to engage with a story through their eyes, imagining themselves embodying values such as curiosity, kindness, confidence, and empathy.
The Stories We Return To
As the year moves forward, the traditions we return to often matter more than the ones we plan.
Many stories are designed to be returned to, to be recognised, and to become part of everyday life, not just at the start of the year, but throughout it.
Shared stories offer a steady place to pause, a space where children feel seen, parents feel connected, and moments of togetherness unfold naturally. Over time, these small rituals become the memories that stay.
The most meaningful stories are not meant to be read once. They are lived, shared, and carried forward, one year at a time.