Read
Why is Reading Important?
When all children and students learn to read and see the adults around them reading, they will be more likely to develop the kind of critical thinking skills that will help them to stay in school, succeed in life, and contribute positively to the community. All children need the opportunity to succeed in their efforts to learn.
Children need positive adult mentors who are willing to build supportive relationships with them and encourage them to achieve. Ultimately, children and youth in our communities are more likely to become productive, successful members of their community.
Why focus on literacy?
- Children who are good readers are more likely to succeed in school, complete high school, pursue higher education and receive living wage jobs; however, too many young children come to school not ready to learn and therefore face huge obstacles.
- Reading promotes development of the critical thinking skills that will help young people make good choices, succeed in life and contribute positively to their communities.
- Because 90% of brain development happens by age 5, making reading a priority in early childhood yields the greatest return on investment.
- According to Zero to Three “...the first three years of exploring and playing with books, singing nursery rhymes, listening to stories, recognizing words, and scribbling are truly the building blocks for language and literacy development.” (www.zerotothree.org/BrainWonders, 2003.
Today...
- In Oregon, 45.1% of children ages 0-5 are not read to every day by a parent or caregiver (Oregon and Child Health: Data and Resource Guide, 2010).
- 1 in 5 children starts kindergarten not ready to learn.
- Children need books in their lives, but in low income neighborhoods, it is estimated that there is only one age-appropriate book for every 300 children.
- Over 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving children from low-income families need age-appropriate books for their children.
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Marion County:
- In 2006, 17% of Marion County’s kindergarteners did not meet the “Ready to Learn” standards and 20% of Marion County's 3rd grade students did not meet reading standards
- Marion County ranks the lowest in Oregon at reaching the 3rd grade benchmark
- In 2006, 17% of Marion County’s kindergarteners did not meet the “Ready to Learn” standards and 20% of Marion County's 3rd grade students did not meet reading standards
- Polk County:
- In 2006, 26% of Polk County’s kindergarteners did not meet the “Ready to Learn” standards and 12% of 3rd grade students did not meet reading standards
- In 2006, 26% of Polk County’s kindergarteners did not meet the “Ready to Learn” standards and 12% of 3rd grade students did not meet reading standards
- Yamhill County:
- In 2006, 24% of Yamhill County’s kindergarteners did not meet the “Ready to Learn” standards and 11.5% of 3rd graders did not meet reading standards
(Oregon Progress Board, 2007 County Data Snapshot)
Up until the fourth grade, children learn to read. After that point, children read to learn.
Consequently, children must enter school ready to learn and quickly hone their literacy skills. In middle school and high school, youth must continue to hone their skills and be encouraged to develop a lifelong habit of reading in order to succeed. While many factors influence how well a child does in an academic setting, their early intellectual growth plays a crucial role. According to the United Nations Children's Fund, "Investing in children from birth to age 3 is the only way to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential."
Without the abilities necessary for a solid start, children are at risk of academic difficulties that can affect their entire education.
To further amplify the importance of children having a strong skill set when they enter school, the Carnegie Foundation report Ready to Learn, A Mandate for the Nation indicates a 90% probability that a poor reader at the end of 1st grade will be a poor reader at the end of the 4th grade. Parents that have the knowledge and information to help their children develop these skills ensure their children gain the proficiencies necessary to thrive academically.
Children need to be exposed to books at a very early age
Research has repeatedly demonstrated that when children listen to stories, they gain crucial language skills. Learning to read and write begins at infancy and continues throughout the toddler years. According to Dr. Paul Thompson with UCLA, "Recent neurodevelopment research has shown that even before children can read themselves, reading aloud to very young children is extremely beneficial to the child." First Books reports, “The only behavioral measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home. Additionally, the more types of reading materials there are in the home, the higher students score in reading proficiency.”
Research tells us that literacy development begins in the very early stages of childhood
Early behaviors such as "reading" from pictures and "writing" with scribbles are examples of emergent literacy and are an important part of children's literacy development. With the support of parents, caregivers, early childhood educators, and teachers, as well as exposure to a literacy-rich environment, children successfully progress from emergent to conventional reading.
