Sir Godfrey Gregg

If you have younger siblings or cousins, they’re watching you more carefully than you realize. Your attitude toward reading and learning during the holidays influences their developing beliefs about education. When they see you reading regularly or studying voluntarily, you’re teaching them that learning is valuable and normal, not just something people do when forced.

Children learn primarily through observation and imitation. If they see older kids they admire reading for fun, they’ll want to do the same. If they see you treating holidays as a complete mental vacation with only screens and games, that becomes their expectation. You have the power to shape their attitudes toward learning simply by modelling good habits.

Make reading a family activity. Read together, talk about books, and visit the library as a group. When younger children see everyone participating, reading becomes normalized and enjoyable rather than something only done for school. You’re creating a culture of learning in your home that benefits everyone.

Share what you’re learning. Talk enthusiastically about interesting facts from your books or cool things you’ve discovered. Excitement is contagious. When younger siblings hear you discuss ideas with genuine interest, they begin associating learning with enjoyment rather than drudgery. You’re shaping their entire educational mindset.

This responsibility might seem unfair—why should you have to set an example? But consider the long-term impact. If your younger siblings develop strong reading habits and positive attitudes toward learning because of your influence, you’ve given them one of the most valuable gifts possible. You’ve helped set their trajectory toward success.

Be the kind of older sibling or cousin who inspires rather than discourages. Show through your actions that smart kids read during holidays, that learning is cool, and that taking care of your mind matters. Years from now, those younger kids might tell you that you inspired their love of reading or learning. That’s a legacy worth creating, and it starts with your choices this holiday.