As a parent, you can do your kid a big favor by getting them interested in things that enrich them. Teaching your child the love of travel, for instance, can help them grow to become more aware of the world and other cultures. However, when it comes to passions to introduce them to, few are more valuable than reading.

Reading improves their ability to communicate, to understand, and interface with the world, and can give them a huge head start in the early years of school, which can translate to a head start for the rest of their educational life. 

So, how can you cultivate a love of reading alongside a love of exploration?

Start By Reading Aloud

A love of reading often begins with stories that transport your child to new places. Reading aloud is the perfect way to ignite their imagination. Choose age-appropriate books about far-off lands, different cultures, or travel adventures. Bring stories to life with expressive voices, playful faces, and interactive questions like, “What do you think happens next?” Encouraging your child to predict outcomes builds curiosity and active listening skills, much like anticipating the next stop on a journey.

Introduce Phonics Early

Phonics—the relationship between letters and sounds—is the key to reading fluency. You can start teaching phonics as soon as your child can pronounce basic sounds. Play rhyming games, explore the sounds of letters through travel-themed stories, or  teach toddler phonics with fun activities. Focus first on simple, strong consonants like S, A, T, and P, giving your child the tools to “decode” words just as they would navigate a new city or map.

Work On Letter Recognition

Once phonics is underway, help your child recognize letters in their shapes and forms. Uppercase letters are easiest to distinguish. Using alphabet charts or books that link each letter to nouns—think “A for Airplane” or “C for Compass”—merges reading skills with the excitement of travel. As they explore their surroundings, point out letters on street signs, menus, or maps, making literacy part of every adventure.

Teach Sight Words

Sight words are common words that children learn to recognize instantly, speeding up reading and comprehension. Words like “the,” “you,” and “to” appear frequently in travel journals, storybooks, and maps. Flashcards or word walls themed around travel—“boat,” “train,” “ticket”—can make learning more relevant and fun, helping your child navigate the written world with ease.

Use Repetitive, Predictable Texts

Books with repeating patterns and predictable text are powerful tools for early readers. They help children recognize words, anticipate storylines, and gain confidence. Choose travel stories that revisit places, characters, or events, allowing your child to “predict” what happens next. Over time, encourage independent reading of repetitive parts, reinforcing vocabulary and comprehension while fostering a sense of accomplishment, just like planning a journey step by step.

Build Them a Library

Create a home library filled with colorful books about different cultures, destinations, and adventures. Children are naturally drawn to books that spark curiosity and wonder. Even if they initially focus on pictures, exposure to written stories lays the foundation for independent reading and a love of discovery that mirrors the thrill of exploring the world.

Make Reading Interactive

Reading is most engaging when it’s an adventure, not a lecture. Ask open-ended questions about the characters’ journeys, how they might feel in new environments, or what they would do in their shoes. Act out scenes, explore textures in interactive books, or play games that tie into story themes. By making reading active, you mirror the hands-on excitement of exploring new places, keeping your child captivated and eager for the next story—or adventure.

Reading readiness is important, but it doesn’t have to be rushed. Nurturing a child who is engaged and ready to explore both books and the world will set them on a path of lifelong learning, curiosity, and adventure.