March is National Reading Month, and with the month well underway, there is still plenty of time for Ahwatukee families to put the screens down, head to the library, and remember just how good a great book feels.

Why March Gets the Spotlight

Every year, National Reading Month kicks off on March 2 with Read Across America Day, a nationwide celebration that also falls on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. It is more than a fun coincidence. The day signals the start of a month-long push to make reading a daily habit across communities of all shapes and sizes.

Organizations like Reading Is Fundamental have long championed the idea that access to books and the habit of reading should not be a luxury. For kids, teens, and adults alike, March is the month to lean in.

What Reading Actually Does for You

Reading is one of the most well-researched habits out there, and the numbers are worth knowing:

  • Children read to at least 3 times a week are 74% more likely to perform well in school

  • Regular reading from an early age boosts a child’s vocabulary by 14% by age 3

  • Children who are frequently read to are 28% more likely to develop empathy and emotional understanding

  • Adults who read regularly are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease

  • People who read 3.5 or more hours per week are 23% less likely to die over a 12-year period compared to non-readers

For Ahwatukee, a community packed with young families and active retirees, these benefits hit close to home. Reading really is for every age.

Your Local Library Is Already on It

Ahwatukee residents have free access to the Phoenix Public Library system, which offers programs year-round for every stage of life. From storytime for toddlers to book clubs for adults, there is something on the calendar almost every week.

One program that is always a hit with younger readers is Sit, Stay, Read!, where kids practice reading aloud to Kinsey, a certified therapy Golden Retriever. Reading to a dog sounds simple, but it builds real confidence in emerging readers without the pressure of performing in front of a classroom.

You can check current programs and schedules directly on the Phoenix Public Library events calendar.

The Maricopa County Library District also runs community reading programs with prizes, challenges, and activities for all ages. Their Maricopa County Reads initiative connects readers across the entire county through shared reading experiences throughout the year.

Easy Ways to Make Reading a Habit This Month

You do not need a big plan to get started. Small changes go a long way:

  • Set a family reading time: Even 15 minutes before bed is enough to build the habit

  • Visit the library and let kids choose: Kids are far more likely to finish a book they picked themselves

  • Mix it up: Audiobooks, graphic novels, magazines, and e-books all count

  • Read aloud together: Great for all ages, not just younger kids

  • Start a neighborhood book swap: Leave a few books near your front door and see what comes back

The Teen Reading Gap Is Real

Less than 20% of U.S. teens read for pleasure daily, while more than 80% are on social media every day. In a community like Ahwatukee, where school performance and family involvement run strong, this stat is worth sitting with. The library has teen-specific programs worth exploring, and sometimes the simplest push is a parent picking up a book at the same time.

There are still days left in March to make this month count. Visit your local Phoenix Public Library branch, sign up for a reading program, or pull that book off the shelf that has been waiting long enough.

It is free, it is good for you, and Ahwatukee has everything you need to make it happen. Explore programs near you and make the rest of this month one your family actually remembers.

 

 

Sources: rif.org, nationaltoday.com, phoenixpubliclibrary.org, calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org, mcldaz.org, maricopacountyreads.org, nikolaroza.com
Header Image Source: Seven Shooter on Unsplash