One of my earliest memories is my father teaching me to read. We’d sit on the sofa together and work our way through one of my school books, sounding out words and learning how to string them together. While we weren’t necessarily close, this is one fond memory I have of my father and I appreciate that he took the time to help me learn.
In this modern technology era, it seems parents helping their children to read has become passé. Most kids seem to have a tablet in their hands rather than a book, and now there are apps to help them learn instead of a family member. Are parents too busy to take the time to sit down and read with their children, or is it just easier to pass the task off to the computer?
With the current fight to protect books and the right to read, I think that family literacy is more important than ever. It feels like there’s less emphasis being put on literacy and reading skills. Perhaps we’re becoming too reliant on having Siri and Alexa tell us what we need to know instead of reading it ourselves. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) estimates that about 79% of U.S. adults have medium to high English literacy skills.
That means 21% of U.S. adults have sub-par literacy skills. For what’s supposed to be one of the most developed and well-educated countries in the world, I find it sad that the U.S. has so many people who can’t read.
Of course, family literacy doesn’t necessarily mean helping children learn to read. Most cities have non-profit literacy centers and programs at the public libraries that help adults to learn and improve their reading ability. I think that an adult who can admit they need to improve their reading skills and makes the effort to reach out for help is someone to be admired.
And, for what it’s worth, simply reading out loud to a loved one – a sibling, a spouse, a grandparent, or a friend – can be a bonding experience. Give it a try sometime and read them one of your favorite stories. I think you’ll both enjoy it.
Do you remember when you learned to read?
RB
I can’t remember not being able to read…from what my mom told me I was an early reader and had memorized my favorite stories before that.
One of my favorite memories with my boys was reading aloud together.
How wonderful, Dawn! I’m glad you and your children had that quality time together. I’m sure it’s a fond memory for them, as well. 🙂
I first read something before kindergarten. It was a bound, cloth book that contained basic shapes as illustrations. The captions were single, descriptive words.
Oh, that’s fantastic you can remember that early book. I have hazy memories of my first books, but they were probably very similar to yours. Thanks for stopping by!
I went to school at 3 and learned to read pretty quickly and have loved it ever since. It’s such an important and wonderful skill.
That’s so wonderful, Sheree. It seems like many early readers carry it into adulthood.
That’s a great memory. I don’t remember being taught to read but I do remember my parents reading to me in bed. Also I have the memory of my dad using a book to teach me the birds and the bees, it was highly embarrassing!!!
LOL! Well, I’m sure that’s a cherished memory, Wayne! 🐝
It’s great that your parents took the time to read to you and share stories. I imagine that ties in to your love of teaching now.
That’s a good point too Richard.
Reading aloud to my kids every day is one of the top ten things I miss most. We did that well into their teens because by then it was the best way for all of us to get to read the same book without fights about who was reading slower than someone else. I especially loved it when they wanted to read to me!
I honestly believe reading aloud to kids and modeling the love of reading yourself is the best way to encourage a love of the art form.
I didn’t know there was a “Family Literacy Month.” Seems like every month has some kind of theme or two (or seven) these days. Maybe I’ll share my own literacy journey sometime!
That’s awesome, Michelle. I’m sure your kids appreciated that time, as well.
And yes, there does seem to be a ‘celebration’ for just about everything these days!
Looking forward to reading about your literacy journey. 🙂
I really miss the ways I was taught by my parents and my maternal grandparents. The look in the eye – a slight pat on the back for the appreciation – those moments made me feel connected and I felt as if my progress mattered to them . Nowadays that warmth is missing … it’s there in fragments in some houses! I gave my daughter her first phone after her 10th. But, I really wish Richard.. I missing that time more now . This generation is missing on the true treasure ✨🙌
I am missing that…
What a wonderful memory, Aparna! It’s so true about that bond that builds when families teach and learn from one another.
I have a vague memory of teasing at 4, but what I don’t know is was I really trading or just repeating memorized books,? When I was babysitting, reading to my charges was one of my favorite things to do. Didn’t know about Family Literacy month. There is a charity that specializes in having service members recording stories that their kids can listen to while the service member is deeply.
I mean deployed.
What a great program for the enlisted folks and their kids. It’s such a great way for them to stay connected and to bond. Thanks for sharing that, Pat.
I agree 💯 with your thoughts on the current attitude to book and reading.
I have a love -hate relationship with reading. I had dyslexia but no one knew, I also had a very good auditory memory so no one knew I had memorised the reader. They only found out when I was asked to do story sums and I told them I couldn’t read the sentence. I was 9 when I actually began to learn to read. It has caused an underlying, subconscious anxiety about my reading abilities yet I enjoy researching and studying. I find fiction boring which is a pity. I am learning to read for relaxation so your post adds another dimension to me unraveling my reading anxiety. Thank you
Oh, that’s interesting, Morag. I’m glad to hear that you’ve been able to fight against your reading anxiety. Fiction or non-fiction, both are good for you! I wish you pleasant reading journeys ahead!
Thank you very much 😊