March is National Reading Month, and in Daytona Beach, there’s still time to make the most of it. Whether you’re a parent trying to get your kids away from screens, a student building sharper study habits, or someone who’s been meaning to read more, right now is a great time to start. The whole idea is simple: make reading a regular part of everyday life, not just something that happens when nothing else is going on.

Why March Belongs to Readers

The celebration started with Dr. Seuss. National Reading Month was created to honor his birthday on March 2, and over the decades, it’s grown into a nationwide push to promote literacy at every age. It’s not only for kids in classrooms. It’s a reminder for all of us that reading is one of the most practical, affordable, and effective habits you can build, and it pays off in ways that stretch well beyond school.

Reading Does More Than You Think

A good book isn’t just entertainment. It’s a workout for your brain, no gym membership required. Here’s what reading regularly can do for you and your family:

  • Improves focus, memory, and concentration at any age

  • Reduces stress and supports everyday mental wellness

  • Builds vocabulary and communication skills faster than most other habits

  • Strengthens critical thinking and sharpens problem-solving abilities

  • Increases empathy by putting you inside someone else’s experience

For Daytona Beach kids in Volusia County schools, building a daily reading habit early is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success. For adults, it keeps the mind engaged, informed, and well-rounded.

What the Daytona Beach Library Has Been Running This Month

The Daytona Beach Regional Library at 105 E. Magnolia Ave. has offered free March programs for every age group, and a few are still within reach before the month wraps up. No registration fees, no barriers.

Here’s what’s been on the lineup:

  • Family Tales: An interactive literacy program for babies through school-age kids, built around stories, rhymes, and light activities that make reading feel like play

  • La Hora del Cuento: A bilingual English and Spanish storytime for children ages 0 to 5, with creative STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities mixed in

  • Read It & Rate It: Kids up to age 12 choose a book, read it, share a short review with library staff, and walk away with a surprise reward

  • Imagine & Explore: Word Challenge: A hands-on program for school-age kids and tweens that builds critical thinking through words and guided challenges

All programs are free with a Volusia County library card, and signing up for one costs nothing. Check the library calendar for what’s still open. Volusia Reads Together is also worth bookmarking. It’s a county-wide community reading program open to everyone and a great way to stay connected to local literary events year-round.

Building the Habit at Home

Library programs are a solid starting point, but real reading habits are built at home. A few things that actually work:

  • Set aside 15 to 20 minutes before bed as family reading time, phones down

  • Let kids choose their own books, even graphic novels or sports biographies. Choice is what drives motivation

  • Read aloud together, even with older kids, to strengthen listening and comprehension at the same time

  • Use Reading Is Fundamental for free daily reading activity ideas all month long

  • Visit fun4daytonakids.com for a regularly updated list of local events and literacy programs around Daytona Beach

Make the Last Days of March Count

National Reading Month is winding down, but the habit you start today doesn’t have to stop with it. Head over to the Volusia County Public Library website, see what’s still available near you, and grab a book for the whole family. One good read is all it takes.

 

 

Sources: nationaltoday.com, rif.org, volusialibrary.org, fun4daytonakids.com
Header Image Source: Alice Hampson on Unsplash