Childhood Literacy, Our Role as a Parent, Guardian or Caregiver

Recently I viewed a graphic created by Robb Brewer, a Pastor from Dallas, Texas with a passion for reading. Pastor Brewer was expressing his concern in regards to the reading ability of children in the United States in 2012. This timely reposted graphic really struck me as children are returning to school soon. After some further investigation, I found this eye opening fact regarding 12^th grade students from the 2013 Nation’s Report Card: Only 38% of 12^th grade students are at or above proficient reading levels. This means 62% of children are behind in their reading abilities. The 2013 Florida data reveals only 36% scored proficient or above in regards to reading indicating 64% are NOT proficient in reading. Additionally, parental education levels reported indicated 24 % had graduated from high school and 49% had graduated from college! So why are these kids not proficient in reading?

The National Center for Education Statistics measure taken of Jackson County Florida in 2003 (this is the most recent data) revealed 17% of the population lack basic literacy skills. It is extremely important we promote reading daily in our children’s lives. According to The Children’s Reading Foundation and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents can greatly promote positive learning for life by simply reading with their children for 20 minutes a day. Reading 20 minutes a day from birth through elementary school promotes a broader vocabulary and chances of succeeding in high school. When parents begin reading to their children during infancy, it “provides stimulation and early brain development in the areas that build language, literacy and social skills.” (AAP) These are skills that are needed for kindergarten. Please, make a difference today by spending 20 minutes a day reading to a child to help provide a bright future for that child.

http://www.robertbrewer.org/disciple/surprising-book-facts-infographic/

http://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading_math_g12_2013/#/

http://readingfoundation.org

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/infant-reading-aloud-young-children-benefits-brain-development/

https://nces.ed.gov/naal/estimates/

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