It recently came to my attention that children in this generation no longer have a fondness of reading when I asked my little sister to read her new library book for 20 minutes and she rolled her eyes and asked "Do I have too?" This came as a shock to me, because I have always loved reading; ever since I was 4, when I first learned to read. Some could say this is because my mother read while she was pregnant with me, (because she, too loves to read), and others could argue that it is because my mother also read to me before I could read, and even when I could read on my own in elementary school. Either way, after she initially introduced reading to me, I had to continue my interest in love stories, fairy tales, mystery novels, and even historical fiction. So, how can we as educators, parents, and siblings instill a love for reading and knowledge acquired through text to create a better future for America?
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| Reading has been proven to improve a multitude of skills, and some of the worlds greatest thinkers, leaders, and inventors were known to submerge themselves in books. |
Studies have reported that reading, (along with crossword puzzles, sudoku, and other activities that engage your brain) can reduce and perhaps even prevent dementia and Alzheimer's. Reading also has been proven to reduce stress, expand vocabulary, improve memory, focus, concentration, and thinking skills. With the abundance of genres available to children and young adults, along with the plethora of devices for children to read on (iPod, iPad, Kindle, Mac, iPhone, Tablets, ect), why is it still a challenge to get children and teens interested in reading? What kind of problems can occur for children with low literacy ratings who continue to go through elementary, middle and high school with little to no comprehension? What is to become of children who turn into adults who have issues reading? Scholastic.com has some frightening statistics and the consequences of low literacy rates in children, teens, and adults.
Scholastic.com stated that "Low literacy costs $73 billion per year in terms of direct health care costs," "One in every 100 U.S. adults 16 and older is in prison or jail in America (about 2.3 million in 2006). About 43 percent do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and 56 percent have very low literacy skills," and "Students who don't read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma when compared to proficient readers." These statistics are just some of the frightening side effects of low literacy ratings that effect The United States as a whole.
20 minute intervals (more if possible) of reading everyday is the only way to ensure literacy in children and teens. Magazines, newspapers, books, comics, and even online articles can be read to promote vocabulary, comprehension, and knowledge. Discussion of the text with your child after reading further helps the understanding of words and scenes. I think exploring different genres and getting outside of your comfort zone is the best way to challenge your brain and strengthen your reading skills. For so long I read the sappy Nicholas Sparks and predictable love stories, and while those are great for non realistic expectations of love, I have found that reading something I find bazaar, or something a bit on the abnormal side is usually wonderful, (ex: Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Divergent). As I have gotten older, I have taken a big interest in mysteries and historical fiction, because I love trying to predict the ending in a mystery, and I enjoy the historical references in historical fiction novels such as The DaVinci Code. Subjects you (or your child) may be interested/curious in are the obvious choice, but reading a book about something you may know nothing about is just as intriguing as something you know a lot about.
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| Books are the simplest form of dreaming, and drawing. They often create scenes, relationships, and people that movies just can't always do justice too. |
Please, please, please urge your child, sister, dad, or friend to read as often as they can. Read instead of watching The Voice (that is what people did before television before entertainment, after all), trade books with your friends, visit Half Price Books for some interesting, unique finds, and browse Pinterest for the latests books that will soon be made into movies so you have a head start on the latest Hollywood Obsession, because when is the movie ever better than the book? Will Rogers once said: "A man learns in only two ways: one, by reading, and the other by associating with smarter people." So challenge your mind, join a book club, simultaneously read a book with a child or friend and discuss the heartbreak, murder, or mystery of a book you can't put down, take your child to the library and re-discover falling in love with a character, but above all: Read, because Reading is knowledge, and reading is resourcefulness.
Scources Cited for information, statistics, and facts: http://www.scholastic.com/readeveryday/facts.htm
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html
