Today, October 7, is the official "Read for the Record" day across America. We've participated in this a few years now through our local library's story times. And if it weren't for our enthusiastic librarians, I'd have no clue about this neat national reading effort.I'm not sure what inherent value there is in lots of people reading for a set amount of time on a particular day. I'm fairly certain masses of readers will not rise up and plow forth furrows of literacy just because there's a nation-wide Today-show-endorsed day set aside for reading.
BUT I do like the fact that this online organization wegivebooks.org gave away thousands of free books in conjunction with this reading record day. And with a website url like "wegivebooks.org" I'm going to be keeping a watchful eye on it so I can get ME some free books whenever the opportunity arises.
Seems like a great little site though I always guffaw heartily inside when I read a stat like this one below (this blurb was taken directly from the wegivebooks website - bold emphasis in the last sentence mine).
Did You Know?
Children Without Literacy Skills Face Dire Consequences
According to the Pearson Foundation Early Childhood Education Perception Poll, ninety-five percent of Americans consider early childhood literacy an important problem, but they do not know that reading to children between the ages of 3 to 5 has long-term benefits for a child's academic achievement and life-long success.
I'm speechless. Ok, not really speechless because I have LOADS of words to spout on this matter. But I am taken aback by the wording found here.
How dumb do you think we ARE? Are you telling me folks can't figure out that reading to kids obliterates early literacy problems? Or are you telling me that American citizens are just too lazy, busy or uninvolved in their child's education that they aren't reading to their kids?
You mean watching more Dora dvds won't help my kid read? (Sorry, Dora. You're great just not allowed in my house since you creep me out with your mesmerizing eyes and hyper-excited intonation.)
So, read for the record! If you want to. Anyone else out there participating? I pledged me and C & C because barring a natural disaster we'll be reading something today. Reading together happens in our house every day of the week.
What I need to buck-up on is my own personal reading. I used to devour Dickens and Lewis like they were chunks of sharply aged cheddar but now I'm lucky if I skim a Parents mag article in the bathroom. I miss that getting-caught-up-in-a-good-story feeling.
How 'bout you? How much reading goes on in your house?
6 comments:
I know just what you mean. I have really missed having time to read. When I got married my schedule just changed so much that reading was really kind of left out of my days. Recently I made a point to make time to read & I devoured a historical fiction novel. It was the first 'story' book I've read in over a year! I do love that feeling of being pulled into the story. It's so much better than tv (in my opinion). Now I need to get to the library to get another book!
I"ve never heard of this special event. I'll make sure to check it out. We read every day too, but like you, I have trouble sitting down to read a good book by myself. Although, now that I'm doing booksneeze reviews and getting free books, i have to make time to read. Not such a bad deal. :)
Al, I definitely read something each day to my kids, but sometimes it's just a book or two. :-( Which makes me sad! I just commented on FB that we need to have a curl up on the couch day with a big stack of books. I'm sure the boys would love it and what a great day to catch up on our stories! :-)
Personal reading? I fall woefully behind. I haven't read a book just for fun in years, sadly. Most books these days are Bible study type books, books on nutrition or parenting - sigh. Maybe I should hire a sitter for a couple hours and go read somewhere. Or maybe I need to say NO more often!
To answer your question, I think that many folks really don't realize that the simple task (task?!) of reading out loud to their kids will go a long way to ensure their children's future academic success. It seems too simple so parents, in their busyness, just don't choose to do it. Those of us who were read to when we were small, do it naturally. Those who were not read to need to be informed of the great value in reading out loud to their little ones. Once they KNOW the tremendous, positive impact it can have, they will take time to do it too. (I think....)
It's amazing to me how many parents think it's necessary to have their kids involved in Girl Scouts, athletic teams (starting as young as 3 and 4), dance, gymnastics, etc and yet do not seem to understand the importance of reading!!!! We read LOTS in our house. When people come visit we often hear comments about how our apartment looks like a library - it kind of reminds me of Sarah Stewarts book, "The Library" - a good children's book by the way. Anyhow, I personally am always reading something but it does take me longer to finish a book than it used to. However, my kids and I read a lot every single day. It's not uncommon for Owen and I to sit on the couch for an hour straight to read books. As it turns out, when your kids are not permitted to watch TV, they find books fascinating! :)
I have lots of catching up to do on our blog, Alicia! Did you know that your posts do not entirely import to google reader? Only the first couple hundred characters import. If you could change that I would be much more up to date on what's going on in your life! :)
Kelly: Thanks for the heads-up on my blog feed! Just changed that. Thanks again!
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