Is education taking a nosedive? Evidence is piling up, again, and not in a good way. While everyone is aware that reading is the key to educational success, the problem isn’t being addressed.
Studies indicate that we are dropping the ball. Too many children in the United States are not getting effective reading instruction. Blame the pandemic if you want, but the problem starts a little closer to home.
It is time for parents and grandparents to step up. Parents don’t want Grandparents to interfere, and Grandparents want to enjoy their retirement, but at what cost? Teachers cannot do it alone, especially if parents and educators are at war. If the school system in your state is ranked near the bottom of the educational heap, it’s true that you need to rise up and make your feelings known, but don’t let your child suffer in the meantime.
It really does take a village to educate a child. Parents, grandparents, and educators need to tap into every resource available to right this grievous wrong.
It is heart breaking to hear adults say that they don’t like to read. Is it that they don’t like to read, or is it that they just don’t understand how important is? Stop being too “busy” to read with your children, to supervise their homework, or notice if and when they might be struggling.
Grandparents to the rescue; quality time should not be about expensive gifts, smart phones, babysitting or acting as chauffeurs. Reading is the best way to bond with a child. If you read to children at home, they are more apt to be comfortable when they start school.
Start early. Use story time to engage with your children. Gift them with books; cloth books, paperback books, electronic books, comic books or graphic novels, whatever it takes to ignite their passion.
Don’t wait until your child starts school and expect someone else to pick up the slack. Children who read outside the classroom develop the tools to support learning throughout their lives.
If you don’t have a child or grandchild of your own, volunteer. Please volunteer. Local schools and libraries need you. Teach a child to read and you have given them the world.
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