Do you take reading for granted? If you are a good reader, consider the impact on your life is the opposite were true. What if you only gleaned a dim understanding from reading newspaper and magazine articles? What if you were afraid to take tests of any kind if they involved reading? What if you didn't read for enjoyment because it was too painstaking? This is the situation in which more than a few adults find themselves today.
Each adult with reading deficiencies started as a child in school somewhere, unless for some reason they never attended school. As a child, maybe they had an undiscovered mental processing problem, such as dyslexia, that made learning to read difficult. Maybe they were hyperactive and couldn't sit still long enough to read. If you know of a child who struggles with reading, especially if it's your child, consider getting him or her tested for dyslexia. If diagnosed and treated early, dyslexia need not be a major obstacle to becoming a good reader.
Some adults may have had marginal reading skills, but never got much encouragement and never were stimulated by reading good books. For many reasons, children sometimes just don't learn to be good readers and they never realize what they are missing. In these days of too much TV, instant messaging, Ipods, etc., there's a lot that competes for time that could be better spent reading a book.
We all have occasions where we need to buy a child present, typically a birthday present. Instead of giving a gift card to the local electronics or game store, why not give the child a book? There is a whole world of books out there for children. As a child I taught myself to enjoy reading by reading comic books. I loved to read Superman comics. Not the best literature, perhaps, but it was reading and I enjoyed it. If you know the child pretty well, chances are that you have some idea of what kind of story they would be interested in. For my son, anything about soccer would be a good bet; he also enjoys stories about the Civil War. My daughter loves the Harry Potter books and The Princess Diaries series. Many children enjoy personalized books in which they get to be the main character of their own story.
A child's success in the education system depends heavily on reading skills. Reading comprehension is built primarily by doing a lot of reading, so a life-long habit of reading gives any child a distinct advantage when they get to high school and college.
There are many volunteer opportunities aimed at helping children learn to read and to enjoy reading. Reading is Fundamental is one such program. They have a website that lists volunteer opportunities by state, and a simple internet search will reveal even more opportunities to get involved. Each one of us has the ability to make a positive impact on a child's life by helping them develop a love of reading. Whether it's your own child or a child at the neighborhood school, take the time to make a difference in that child's future.
by Bill Graham,
Vice President, Jiff-e-Books Personalized Children's Books
20 years experience in publishing
B.A. English, author of numerous popular children's books.
billgraham@jiff-e-books.com Personalized Books
512-784-9787
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