Not every story-reading session requires a substantial time investment. There are plenty of engaging short books that only take five minutes to enjoy — and pack in as much fun and important life lessons as longer reads.
“Even just five minutes of reading can have meaningful and lasting benefits,” says Michele Myers, Ph.D., co-author of The Educator's Guide to Building Child & Family Resilience. “For instance, reading just five minutes a day exposes children to over 500,000 words per year, and these short reading episodes can improve a child’s vocabulary and comprehension over time.”
These shorter read-alouds “can spark imagination and curiosity as well as foster emotional understanding as children connect and empathize with characters in the stories,” Myers says, noting that children who are read to regularly perform better in school and show more emotional resilience, as well as imagination, curiosity, and empathy.
“These five-minute reading episodes may be short in time, but they are big in impact,” says Myers.
"Even just five minutes of reading can have meaningful and lasting benefits." —Michele Myers, Ph.D.
Anytime Is a Good Time to Read
Reading doesn’t need to be restricted to bedtime stories or school assignments. In fact, Myers suggests weaving shorter reading sessions into your daily routine with your child.
“Reading doesn’t have to be a formal event,” she says. “It can be woven into everyday life. In doing so, reading simply becomes part of your family’s rhythm and connection. This shows children that reading and stories are integral to their everyday worlds and not a subject that is relegated to school or an obligation they must meet. It helps them to view reading as enjoyable.”
Myers offers a few ideas of when to try a five-minute read aloud:
- Whenever you’re waiting (for example, at a doctor’s office or in the school pickup line)
- When kids need a moment to cool down or transition
- When you have a teachable moment (for example, a conflict, new friendship, curiosity about a topic, etc.)
Encourage Reading by Catering to Your Child's Interests
Myers says that one of the best ways to get kids interested in reading more is to follow their interests — and make sure both the story and the physical book are accessible.
For example, does your kid have a favorite character, series, or video game that they just can’t get enough of? You can find quick 5-minute stories and phonics packs featuring everyone from Peppa Pig, Gabby’s Dollhouse, or Pokémon. There’s a short story collection out there to engage their imagination. Engaging with your kids’ faves is a great way to encourage academic skills development, build a reading habit, and remind your kiddos that learning is fun!
Above all, Myers recommends giving kids choice in what they're reading.
“Children should have choice in what they read,” she says. “Whether it is a comic book, audiobook, book in a series, or even a book that they have read and reread for the millionth time, let them choose.”
Seek Opportunities to Read and Talk About Books
Myers also recommends talking with kids about what they’re reading. “These shared moments will have greater impact than one can imagine,” she says.
And instead of waiting for standard moments (think: bedtime) to read books with your child, take advantage of any gap in time. “Whenever you have a spare moment, pull out a book (audio or hardcopy) instead of a smartphone,” Myers suggests.
That is, when you’re facing a long line, or sitting with one child waiting for their sibling’s after school activity to end, consider reading together. This can be easier if books are always accessible for your child (and you!), Myers says. “Place books in baskets in play areas, the car, or by their bed."
Need suggestions to build out your five-minute booklist? These short stories below are perfect bite-sized reads. You’ll find favorite characters, classic fairy tales, and spooky stories that are perfect for quick reads. Plus, browse The Scholastic Store by grade and age, format and subject, or series and character.
Michele Myers, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Wake Forest University. As a holistic, social justice educator, Dr. Myers is committed to ensuring that all children receive a humanizing education that honors their histories, heritages, literacies, languages, cultures, family structures, and communities as assets for learning. Dr. Myers is the co-author of The Educator's Guide to Building Child & Family Resilience (Scholastic, 2023) and Revolutionary Love (Scholastic, 2020).
