Page Turners and Playtime: Celebrate National Literacy Month with Fun Activities!

September is National Literacy Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of reading and literacy in shaping our children’s future. According to studies, early literacy skills are crucial for a child's success in school and life, and yet millions of children in the United States still struggle with reading proficiency. In fact, over 60% of fourth graders in the U.S. are not reading at a proficient level, and these struggles can have long-term consequences on a child’s educational trajectory. This makes National Literacy Awareness Month more important than ever.

At MKE4Kids, we are committed to helping families build strong literacy foundations through daily interactions and #MightySmallMoments that support brain development and educational success. We’ve created a special Literacy Activity Calendar for September, full of fun, engaging activities that families can do together to support early literacy, no matter how busy their schedules may be.

Fun Activities for Families to Boost Literacy

This month, we’re encouraging families to take part in literacy-based activities that are simple, yet incredibly impactful. By incorporating small, everyday moments into your routine, you can create opportunities to spark a love of learning in your child. Here are just a few activities from our Literacy Activity Calendar that are perfect for families to try:

Day 1: Read Aloud for at Least 5 Minutes

Set aside five minutes each day to read aloud to your child. Whether it’s a short story or a chapter from their favorite book, these small moments of reading together can significantly boost your child’s vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Day 6: Journal with Words or Pictures

Encourage your child to express their thoughts by creating a journal entry with words or pictures. This helps develop early writing skills while allowing them to explore their creativity. You can even make this a fun bedtime ritual to reflect on their day.

Day 12: Cook Together Using a Recipe

Cooking isn’t just a fun family activity; it’s also a great way to introduce reading and math concepts. Follow a simple recipe together, and let your child help measure ingredients, read out instructions, and stir the pot! It’s a delicious way to practice reading and following directions.

Day 20: Read a Book Based on a Movie

Does your child have a favorite movie? Grab the book version of their beloved film and turn it into a reading adventure! Talk about the differences between the book and the movie, and let your child imagine how the scenes might look in the book’s world. This is a great way to make reading more fun and engaging, especially for young movie lovers!

Download Your Literacy Activity Calendar!

These activities (and more!) are free and easy to incorporate into your daily routine. We know families have busy schedules, which is why we’ve designed the Literacy Activity Calendar with flexibility and fun in mind. Download the full calendar at mke4kids.com/national-literacy-month, and try out a new activity each day to help your child grow their love of reading.

We’d love to see your family in action! Share your #MightySmallMoments with us on social media, and tag @mightysmallmoments to show how you’re celebrating National Literacy Awareness Month.

Every Moment Matters

National Literacy Awareness Month reminds us that literacy is more than just reading — it’s about making the most of every moment with your child. Whether you’re reading aloud, cooking together, or diving into a book based on a favorite movie, you’re helping your child build essential skills for a lifetime of learning.

Let's celebrate these mighty small moments and make this September a month full of literacy, learning, and fun!