Literacy Minded - Lit Love in Action

Hey Lit Fam, Happy July!

Here at Literacy Minded, we’re kicking off a new month with a whole lot of heart and a whole lot of books. July is our Lit Love in Action month, and we’re celebrating the powerful ways reading connects us across generations, classrooms, and communities.

Whether you’re reading to your little one, prepping your classroom for the fall, or leading a school team: your love of reading is contagious. And it matters.

But here’s why this message matters now more than ever:

According to a recent Parents.com article, daily read-alouds are on the decline—especially among Gen Z parents. Only 41% of children aged 0–4 are read to regularly, down from 64% in 2012.

Many parents report they’re too busy, find reading aloud boring, or feel unsure about how to start. This drop in engagement affects children’s vocabulary, focus, and emotional connection to stories and the impact is showing up in schools.

That’s why this month’s campaign is about putting Lit Love into Action.

When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young." - Maya Angelou.

What Is Lit Love in Action?

It’s the moment you…

read your toddler’s favorite story again with your whole heart
give your students time to just fall into a book
celebrate a hallway full of student-authored poetry
let your own child see you reading for fun

Lit Love is joyful, intentional, and always contagious. And it lives in the small, everyday decisions we make to center books in our homes, classrooms, and communities.

Lit Love Starts at Home

Reading at home doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be present. Try these simple ways to turn everyday moments into reading opportunities:

Make it a habit – Add 10 minutes of reading after breakfast or before bed.
Keep books visible – Baskets in the car, on the couch, and in your bag.
Read with rhythm – Babies and toddlers love musical, rhyming stories.

Reignite Your Reading Passion

This is the perfect time to reconnect with your why. Ask yourself:
What made you fall in love with books? How can you pass that feeling on?

Try this:

Reflect: Write down 3 books that shaped you and how you’ll share them this fall.
Prep with love: Organize your library by interest, level, or theme so kids can find their next favorite book.
Model joy: Let your students see you excited about reading too.

Literacy is a Culture

Reading engagement thrives when schools wrap around it with intention. Leaders can help model, celebrate, and invest in a reading-first culture.

Here’s how:

Use morning announcements to spotlight books and readers.
Feature staff favorites on bulletin boards or your school’s website.
Build diverse, inclusive libraries in every corner of the building.

This month, we’re asking you to:

Start one new reading routine
Tag us in a cozy read-aloud moment
Tell a friend about your favorite childhood book

Because reading isn’t just a skill—it’s a relationship. And Lit Love grows when we nurture it, share it, and model it at every level.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Use the hashtag #LitLoveInAction to share your favorite books, your cozy corners, and your literacy moments this month. We’ll feature community photos all month long!