Reading is a fun activity, but it could be more vital to the nation’s well-being than you think. The United Way estimates that illiteracy costs taxpayers $20 billion annually. At the same time, the National Center for Educational Statistics reports that 33 percent of fourth graders in the United States cannot read at the most basic level.
Clearly, helping all children develop excellent reading skills is in everyone’s best interest. Fortunately, the first few steps in doing this can start at home, with several ways to get kids reading better.
Actions are louder than words
Nothing teaches your child the importance of reading more than seeing the many ways you use reading throughout the day. Tasks as simple as surfing the Web, looking up a recipe, going through the mail, and enjoying a good book, magazine or newspaper can spark interest in reading among young people. It’s also important to have age-appropriate books in the home for your children to enjoy.
Get them engaged
Engaging children in the read-aloud process helps them learn to read better. While asking questions and allowing your child to ask questions, you also can be playful. Read with expression, give the characters special voices and laugh when something silly happens. Make reading a fun experience and children naturally will be drawn to it.
Set a good example
“Parents are the best role models when it comes to illustrating the importance of reading,” says Sharon Darling, founder and president of the National Center for Family Literacy. “They must demonstrate that becoming a good reader is a critical skill.”
Perhaps no one has demonstrated that better than Alferd Williams, the 71-year-old son of sharecroppers who fulfilled a lifelong dream when he enrolled in a first-grade class to learn to read. Inspired by his story, The UPS Store is sponsoring an annual award in his honor to be presented by the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
“Alferd’s story is a testament to determination and every person’s right to learn to read,” says Lt. Gen. Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), president and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “When a child fails to learn this basic skill, the cycle of poverty becomes nearly impossible to break.”
Get involved
You can promote literacy in your community by volunteering to read at a local school or donating to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program at a participating The UPS Store location. If you’d like to honor someone who inspires a love of reading, submit a nomination for the Alferd Williams Literacy Award between April 1 and May 31. Visit ToysforTotsLiteracy.org to learn more.
By following just some of these helpful tips, you can enhance the life of a child and help create a brighter future for all of us.
For more information on helping children learn to read, visit www.famlit.org.
Article courtesy of StatePoint Media.