THE PARENT SERIES: #1 The Importance of Reading

I call this “The Parent Series” because, as a parent and teacher, I have a unique perspective that comes from both sides of the desk.  My growth as a teacher has been directly impacted by my experiences as a parent.  The opposite is equally true.  From time to time I will write something that draws on these experiences.

Parents in Parent/Teacher conferences often ask me what they can do for their child that will have the biggest impact on their child academically.  My answer to that question is quick and simple: Make sure your child reads—every day.  Reading is a skill that must be practiced; it is a skill that is used in some way, shape, or form in every academic class, and it has an enormous impact on writing ability.

At the start of each new school year I make it a point to have a discussion about reading.  I ask students how many of them read daily.  The average number is 1-3 students per class.  That means about 85% of the students in my five classes admit that they do not read daily.  Some admit to not reading at all.  If that percentage does not alarm you, it should.  Reading is a skill that must be practiced to improve.  If you do not use it you lose it to some degree.  Imagine not walking every day.  Your legs would weaken, you would lose coordination, and you would run slower.  Sure you could still move around, but that would be about all you would be able to do.  Reading is no different.  The only way to improve and stay proficient as a reader is to read.

Reading is also a cross-curricular skill.  You read in every class you take in high school and college.  The amount you read is also important.  If you go out to run a half marathon, and you have never run more than two miles a day, you are in for a very bad experience.  Now consider that college students read an average of between 200 and 600 pages per week and you can see the damage not reading daily in middle and high school can do.  Building reading stamina is important.  Reading also helps to increase your level of reading comprehension.

Finally, reading has a direct impact on writing skills.  If you are reading authors who write well you are learning how to be a better writer yourself.  One thing teachers try to do for their students is find ways to model what they want them to do.  Reading the best authors in literary history is a great way to model great writing.  Reading also helps with vocabulary acquisition, which makes students better writers and speakers.

As parents we start out reading to our children.  We try to instill in them a love of books, but that love is waning somewhere along the way.  Do what you can to rekindle your child’s desire to read.  It is imperative to their academic success, and it is the best gift you can give them.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a day!  Make it your own.