Reading Regularly 

Keystone habits, a term coined by Charles Duhigg (author of The Power of Habit), are habits that automatically lead to multiple positive behaviours and positive effects in your life.

According to Charles Duhigg, these habits spark “chain reactions that help other good habits take hold.” In other words, building a keystone habit is like knocking down the biggest domino — it will automatically knock down the other dominoes as well.

Essentially, when you focus on building keystone habits, you hit two birds (or even more) with one stone. Therefore, focusing on these habits is a highly productive use of your time.

For example, read about the keystone habit of exercise:

According toresearch, regular exercise (at least 3 times per week) is a keystone habit that triggers people to start eating better, have more patience, be less stressed, consume less alcohol, smoke less, and be more productive at work. Furthermore, it contributes to a better mood and better sleep quality.

All in all, by focusing on just this one habit, you automatically experience positive effects in other areas of your life.

Make 20 minutes of regular reading a keystone habit in your family.

According to research, reading regularly will trigger other positive impacts on your life Here are some extra positive impacts of reading for 20 minutes five times a week:

• You will read your book more quickly so you will understand and become more engaged in the story.
   
• You will have more opportunities to practice using your reciprocal reading strategies.
   
• You will have 20 minutes to sit and relax.
   
• You might read with a family member so you will get bonus time with Mum or Dad. See what the research tells us about reading to your children.
   
• You will build your vocabulary which will help your comprehension and your writing.
   
• You will feel a sense of achievement when you finish your book.
   
• The more you read, the better reader you will become and the more you will enjoy reading.

We challenge you to create this keystone habit into your family’s daily routine and reap the benefits.

 Jacqueline Galvin | Literacy and Differentiation Coordinator