The Secret to Boosting Literacy
The world today has become too fast. Everyone is running their own rat race, chasing the next “big thing”. In this fast paced arena we call home, we often skip the simple things, pushed aside for a more appropriate time. But how often does that “right” time really come along?
Technology has all but taken over our lives, smart phones, smart TVs, smart electronics, you can almost buy a smart version of anything. Too often in modern society convenience replaces long-lived traditions. We have forgotten knowledge that once was considered essential. Wisdom that has been tossed to the side for technological advancements. But what have we lost during this process? We have lost the common act of appreciating the little things. We have forgotten that sometimes the best of things are worth waiting for. We have lost the act of slowing down.
One thing that has been largely dismissed as “old school” is reading to children. At one time, not so long ago, books were one of the few sources of entertainment. Now books set on a shelf untouched, replaced by hi-definition screens. Who wants to read black words on a page when you have a brightly colored stimulation with instant gratification right in front of you.
Studies have shown reading to a child has measurable effects that last an entire lifetime. Reading to a child just two times a week is proven to increase vocabulary as well as cognitive, emotional, and social development.
In fact, a child who is read to one to two days per week hears an additional 63,570 words. That number increases to 169,520 if they are read to three to five times per week, and to a staggering 296,660 words when they are read to daily. This gives children an incredible head start in development and takes only a few minutes to do.
Studies have also shown a strong correlation between childhood literacy and the overall success in adulthood. Adults who have this early foundation show to have better careers, better health and greater overall success. An adult who can read well, can easily navigate job applications, medical insurance choices, and household management requirements.
Children develop logical and rational thinking when they are read too often, allowing them to navigate the world with a better understanding, making informed choices along the way. Evidence has proven that children who receive this level of care, develop emotional maturity at a faster rate, which often contributes to high confidence and self esteem.
Not only does it help with emotional maturity, it also grows the bond between parent and child. Reading lowers stress in adults and promotes lower cortisol levels. When incorporated into a bed time routine, it often creates a calm comfortable environment that promotes better sleep and healthier bedtime habits. By creating a routine centered around story time, going to bed becomes fun, exciting, and predictable, putting an end to grumpy bedtime battles.
Many things have been lost and forgotten in today’s world. Some for the best, some for the worst. One thing that I will never let go, is reading to my children.
Heather Congrove 