Why Reading is Important

girl sitting in chair reading a book

Reading is important because children who learn to read early have a much higher likelihood of succeeding in school, completing high school, avoiding antisocial behaviors like drug/alcohol abuse, and going on to living wage jobs and post-high school education. Ultimately, these kids are more likely to become productive, successful members of their community.

Why focus on literacy?

Investing in early childhood has the greatest return with a positive lifelong impact.
An alarming number of children in Marion County lack a solid foundation for learning.
Children who are good readers are more likely to succeed in school and stay in school; however, too many young children come to school not ready to learn and then 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.

Today...

1 in 5 children starts kindergarten not ready to learn.
Marion County ranks the lowest in Oregon at reaching the 3rd grade benchmark.
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.
13% of Marion County's 3rd grade students did not meet reading standards and 34% of 8th grade students did not meet reading standards.
Children who are poor readers are less likely to graduate from high school.

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. Everyone agrees children need to succeed in school. 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." One key element of childhood development is the formation of literacy skills.

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.”

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. All parents want the best for their children. Parents that have the knowledge and information to help their children develop these skills ensure their children gain the proficiencies necessary to thrive academically. Unfortunately, not all parents know the importance of reading to young children or have the skills to engage them in the reading process, provide a literacy-rich environment, and choose age-appropriate books.

Research tells us that literacy development begins in the very early stages of childhood, even though the activities of young children may not seem related to reading and writing. 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. The theoretical and research-based knowledge of child development in general and of literacy development in particular provides an understanding of the literacy acquisition of young children and suggests strategies that can help children become successful, confident readers and writers.

In 2005, The Oregon Progress Board’s Education Index ranked Marion County the lowest of all Oregon counties in third grade reading scores. This appalling rating prompted the Marion County Children and Families Commission to tackle the issue of literacy. The commission learned from local education experts that Marion County’s high poverty rates and large population of English language learners directly affect our county’s educational achievement. In response, the Marion County Children and Families Commission (CFC) launched a Student Success Initiative – Reading for All! Additionally, the CFC has an early childhood initiative called “Great Beginnings.” Great Beginnings works with local professionals to address the various needs of infants, toddlers and their families. Salem-Keizer School District is an active partner and member of both initiatives. The Reading Wrangler program will be a combination of these two initiatives and will be known as “Reading for All Born Learning.”