Reading: Putting books in the hands of children

READING

putting books in the hands of children

Contents table of

INTRODUCTION

It’s time to recognize there is a problem.

CHANGING TIMES

Reading throughout the ages.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The role we play in helping kids succeed.

STRENGTHENING CHILDREN

Providing opportunities for children to improve.

AVAILABILITY

Giving children access to books.

BE THE SOLUTION

Modeling a love for reading and books.

MAKE READING FUN

Creating an enjoyable reading experience

COMPREHENSION

Helping children understand what they read.

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Non-profits that can help in your journey.

MOMS ON A MISSION

Taking action to inform about the problem.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Check out the sources for yourself.

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INTRODUCTION recognizing there is a problem

I

t has long been said that the future is our children. If that is the case we have some work to do. We are at a crossroads when it comes to the literacy of the children in the United States. For far too long we have allowed abilities to slip, leaving our children in a terrible situation.

According to Students First 66% of United States fourth graders are scoring below proficient on the National Assessment of Education Progress reading test. This means that a staggering two-thirds of the nations fourth graders cannot read at grade level!

This statistic should be more than alarming, it should lead us to action. We cannot allow this to remain a constant problem in the United States. It is time to act, and time to urge our children to excel in reading. This will allow them to see success in a variety of ways far beyond a single test.

This book will inform you on the history of the problem we are facing, the scope of the problem and the ramifications for good if we put forth the effort to be a driving force for change in our nation and community.

The time is now, join the fight to end illiteracy among our countries children.

changing Times how reading has changed through the ages

History of Books and Reading

was the top form of entertainment, and 75% of American towns had their own public library.

The people in the United States had access to a The earliest examples of written communication that we have date back toapproximately 3500 B.C. wide variety of books.

These writings were simple symbols scratched into clay or rock. As time went on and literacy Advancement in Technology evolved, only a small portion of the population learned to read and write. Those who could read In the late 1940’s things started to change. The were viewed as having an amazing talent and American people discovered a new way to fill would actually hold public readings similar to their time. The big, fat, warm tubes of television. theater productions now. Before the printing press TV started to absorb the evening hours that which was invented around 1440, books were all had previously been spent reading, listening to written and bound by hand which made them the radio or going to the movies. Leo Bogart, very expensive and therefore unattainable for most TV’s first historian wrote that by the mid-1950’s people. After Johannes Gutenberg produced the “Television had established its place as the most printing press books became far more accessible important single form of entertainment and and considerably less expensive. As books got into of passing the time.” Time magazine recently the hands of more people, literacy rates began to conducted a survey to determine the number rise. By the time we hit the 20th century, reading of hours that a child spends in front of the TV.

But is the television the only one to blame for this shift? In a study done by Common Sense Media, there are several household indicators that can accurately predict the amount of time that a child will choose to read. The chart above shows the difference that a few household variables make in whether a child is a frequent reader or not.

Kids nine and under are watching a full 35 hours of television per week. That is nearly a full time job. That number represents a 2.2-hour increase since the 2009 survey results, and a 12% increase over nine years.

Current Reading Trends As people have shifted their time away from books and onto the TV or other electronic device, there are naturally fewer books in the home and the total amount of time spent reading dropped considerably. The chart above shows the frequency of reading for fun, by age over the years of 1984 through 2012.

As shown in the chart, the amount of time that kids spend reading has been sharply declining over the last few decades particularly as a child grows to adolescence. With numbers changing as drastically as these, one might wonder what impact that is having on US children. According to the US Department of Education, “Our students are not reading nearly well enough.

Results of the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress on reading showed that only 32 percent of the nation’s fourthgraders performed at or above the proficient achievement level, thus demonstrating solid academic performance” (National Assessment of Educational Progress 2001). These are not impressive results and certainly are cause for concern.

According to this chart, the greatest indicators of the amount of time that a child will spend reading lies within the family and their attitude towards reading. Maybe kids, and particularly teenagers don’t read books because, in our current cultural atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like the grown up thing to do. Teens want to be grown up and they mimic the behaviors that they see the adults in

their lives favoring. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics gives us a glimpse into the daily leisure time of United States citizens ages 15 and up. If you do the math, out of 5 hours and 5 minutes of leisure time per day, only 19 of those minutes are spent reading. That is roughly 6 percent.

It goes without saying that children are not the only ones who are not spending enough time reading. Many of the parents of today were born in the 1970’s and 1980’s when the amount of time that children read for fun was much higher. But yet, as they have become adults, they aren’t reading as much, and therefore their children aren’t either. So what will be of the generations yet to come?

Accountability

the role we play in helping children succeed

Parents Need to be Held Accountable A revelatory letter has made its way to the hands of many nations. Yet, this is not just any letter, it is “A Proclamation to the World” on the Family. The prophet Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read, aloud, it’s words at a meeting in September 1995. In this he calls for fathers and mothers to be accountable: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.

‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3).

Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.

Husbands and wives—mothers and father—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”

With 3,988,0761 births registered in the United States in 2014, we have a great cause for parents to be prepared to teach their children. Being a parent is one of the most amazing experiences a person can have on this beautiful earth. Sad but true there are millions of children all around the world who have no access to a higher education. Most have no access to books. Yet, there are unknown numbers of people making a difference. One of those ways has been by encouraging children to read in the home.

There are warnings and signs even in our communities encouraging us to sit down and read more in our homes. There is documented research waving a flag

an emphasis on reading. This is a program he enjoys being part of due to the progress it’s made. He commented that, “Our Kindergarten is a half day to paying for two of the lowest reading preforming schools in the area to have a full day. This is to be able to increase their cognitive process; which helps them to learn how to read and develop those skills early on.”

Education and Income Potential According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, Americans who have some college or an associate’s degree, but not a bachelor’s degree, earn an average of $7,213 more annually than those with just a high school education. Those who attain a bachelor’s degree earn $21,185 more each year, on average, than those with just high school diplomas.

Roadblocks to Reading

high in the air telling us not to surrender the good that comes from children being read to and individually reading themselves.

Literacy Rate Effects Child’s Academic Achievement Children of all ages and nationalities are struggling with reading and writing. They must learn line upon line as they begin reading. They must begin reading to comprehend the story or message in text. This then leads to an easier transition with learning to write.

Children are already familiar with what letters look like and what shapes they form.

It can all start with the ABC’s. Parents can begin with teaching small letters or words in a book or on flash cards. Why not start young? Their world of learning began when they were born. Babies are ready to learn right away. Children who are not taught these things before school can struggle the most.

During a child’s early toddler years they can learn to say, sing, identify, and sound out their ABC’s. As they learn to talk within those first two years they can have their vocabulary expanded as they are read to aloud.

These exercises increase their brain development and cognitive process, which helps them comprehend what they are reading.

Having this ability is crucial to succeeding in school.

Leon Clark is an educator in Idaho with over thirty years of experience in teaching. He taught students in High School and college as an Adjunct Professor.

When he would teach the regular level courses he saw students struggle with learning due to a limited ability to read. He said, “In my regular Biology courses their failure and disinterest was because of them not being able to read. The big words confused them and they could not process what was being taught in the text.

Them not passing the course were mainly because they could not comprehend the words.”

The school board Leon Clark is on specifically has

When a child can read there are still difficulties that arise. Some children struggle to have a desire to read.

Their lack of desire can also be reinforced with long, boring, dull books. There are other children who have anxiety from the fear they will be called on in a classroom setting to read and speak about what they will read. Most of the follow up questions are intended to help a student comprehend and internalize what they read. But when students stop raising their hands to participate in school, they stop volunteering and stop learning.

There are distractions coming from every corner that are holding children and adults back from reading.

The concept of being a good reader comes from good experience and practice. Limiting the time we sit watching television, playing video games, and being on electronic devices is a great start. We must put in the time each day to read. It strengthens our eyes, vocabulary, and increases our experience to get into a story. “Once children lost interest in reading, it’s hard to get them back. The motivation to read also tends to decrease, as kids get older. Reading is like any other skill. If you don’t practice, you won’t develop the vocabulary, the skills, and the ease. You won’t be able to read fast. For some high school students, just reading a chapter in a textbook becomes like climbing a mountain, even though they are good readers.”

As parents learn to work with their children it is important to recognize the scope of the problem can be physical as well as emotional. Some people have a problem with reversing letters, which hints at a visual problem with their eyes. Keep a close eye on this “especially if it persists through the end of first grade.”

The last area to look at what is holding children back when it comes to reading is the lack of books. There are not books to read in every home as one might think. Some children are never read to as a youth.

This may seem wild to think but many families leave the responsibility with the school systems. In some area’s homework carries the same concept, it is done at school not the home.

strengthening Children providing opportunities for our children to improve

Children and Structure Children thrive within a family that has structure, organization, and order. Having a plan every day that they can count on and know what to expect is healthy for children. Reading time is one of those daily activities that can help them be a structure person themselves. Nicholeen Peck has four book’s that help children have fun while reading and still learn about self-governing skills. Some of her books are “Paige Takes The Stage”, “Porter Earns A Quarter”, “London LaRay Says Okay”, and “Big When For Quinn”. They are full of experiences that children make on a daily basis.

This organization has been working with schools and parents to teach children in a new way. These books and others generate an easy what to teach children how to follow instructions, learn about negative and positive consequences, learn about the importance of hearing the word no, and learning to disagree appropriately. This new way to introduce children into self-governing skills through reading is becoming part of the big picture for developing obedience in the lives of little ones. These books help parents to see the difference between a child’s “stress, anxiety,

fear, distractedness and manipulation” when they say “I can’t”. Parents are instructed on the importance of teaching children with consistency and obedience.

Parents can learn to concentrate more on giving instructions, steering children away from entitlement and rebellion. They reaffirm to parents that they can support their children to do hard things.

Self Expression and Understanding Providing this base of learning allows children to express themselves and relate to those around them in a healthy way. Having witnessed the interactions between the characters in the books you read, as well as the contact with you during story time, children gain valuable communication skills. As a child’s first teacher parents connect with and strengthen their children.

Mr. Ghaffari said, “Reading is fun! To get the kids involved, pique the child’s interest and you’ll have them hooked.” When children approach major developmental milestone in their lives, or a potentially stressful experiences, one way to help ease the transition is to share a relevant story. When parents

says Virginia Walter, Ph.D., associate professor in the graduate school of education and information studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. But as they hear it again and again, they start to notice patterns and sequences, realizing that if one page says, “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” the next page will tell brown bear’s response: “I see a red bird looking at me.”

Children who have been frequently read to, tend to have a longer attention span and wider vocabulary, than their peers. Reading together also develops a child’s communication skills in listening, speaking, and thinking.

make reading habitual, turning to a book to explain difficult experiences will not be seen as unusual. It can be a way to share something with a child, which otherwise might be difficult for a parent to explain.

When children approach major developmental milestone in their lives, or a potentially stressful experience, one way to help ease the transition is to share a relevant story. When parents make reading habitual, turning to a book to explain difficult experiences will not be seen as unusual. It can be a way to share something with a child, which otherwise might be difficult for a parent to explain.

Building Comprehension and Proficiency Before a child learns to read print, it is especially important he has opportunity as an infant and toddler to read picture books. Picture books connect visual literacy (learning to interpret images), cultural literacy (learning the characteristics and expectations of social groups) and literacy with print (learning to read and write language).

Three predictors of reading achievement that children learn before they get to school are: The ability to recognize and name letters of the

alphabet. General knowledge about print which is understanding the front and back of the book as well as how to turn the pages of a book.

The third predictor is having an awareness of phonemes, or the sounds that make up words.

A primary benefit of reading to toddlers and preschoolers is a higher aptitude for learning in general. Numerous studies have shown that students who are exposed to reading before preschool are more likely to do well in all facets of formal education, such as the ability to grasp abstract concepts, apply logic in various scenarios, recognize cause and effect, and utilize good judgment. What preschoolers know before they enter school is strongly related to how easily they learn to read in first grade.

In time, reading with a child will expand their vocabulary even more than just talking with her will.

That’s because books can introduce kids to ideas and objects -- such as porridge or kangaroos -- that are out of their direct environment and therefore not a part of their daily conversation. Reading books repeated not only introduces them to vocabulary but will help them gain critical thinking skills as well.

Most of the time when a parent hears the phrase “One more time!” they see it as a transparent effort by their child to delay bedtime. But reading it again, has been shown to develop his logic skills. The first time children hear a book, they don’t catch everything,

Not only is it critical to have the books in the home, but our efforts need to be focused on getting them off the shelves and wearing out the pages. Doing this will make sure they never become part of the 2/3 of

American fourth-graders that are not proficient in reading. It will also allow them the opportunity to have a better future as their understanding, capabilities and prospects will be increased because of the foundation laid with mounds of books on the shelves in their homes.

“Neural research shows that when parents and caregivers interact verbally with children -- which includes reading to them -- kids learn a great deal more than we ever thought possible,” says G. Reid Lyon, Ph.D., chief of the child development and behavior branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, MD. These gains range from improved logic skills to lower stress levels. But perhaps the most profound benefit discovered in recent years is the way bedtime stories can rewire children’s brains to quicken their mastery of language.

availability home libraries indicate child success

Reading In The Home The Family Reading Partnership program based out of Itheca, New York is inviting families to read together. This is a group of businesses, schools, and libraries that have come together to bring books into the homes of children in their area. “Only 39% of parents nationally read to their children on a regular basis. In our own community, it is estimated that an alarming 20 – 25% of children enter a classroom for the first time having had few or no experiences with books at home.” This is not acceptable. We need to have more families introducing children to education in their youngest of years.The National Commission on Reading in 1985, Richard Anderson stated, “The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction tobooks and being read to at home prior to beginning school” As parents we desire the best for our children and for the success of other children. I ask, “Are we putting in the time, resources, creative activities, and providing our children with the experiences they need to be reading before they begin school?” If we are not then the negative consequences our children could face go beyond how they will handle first grade.

Building Abilities, Strengthening Relationships More than understanding how to navigate through a book, when parent and child read together they build a strong relationship. There is nothing quite like taking your child on your lap and snuggling up with a good book. Children are so loving and want to be held and loved by their parents. When children are infants, cuddling with a newborn baby is one of the most satisfying and heartwarming experiences. Taking time to read to your infant will help your baby know and enjoy the intonations of your voice. Mr. Ghaffari explained, “Children mimic their parents, so the most important thing parents can do, is to read, and then read to their children!” Although having books in the home is a key ingredient of having children read, it’s what is done with the books that count.

Cuddling up with a good book allows the two of you to come together in recollection of that pleasant, cuddly time you both loved when he was a baby. As reading becomes a habit in your home, at bedtime, mealtime or anytime, your child will look forward to that special time. When parents choose to turn off distractions and focus on their child through reading, he

“Children mimic their parents, so the most important thing parents can do, is to read, and then read to their children!” knows he is valued. Reading together, builds relationships between parent and child like nothing else can.

Instead of being seen as an imposition, reading will become a pastime that brings you together.

Access to Books When there are books available in the homes of children it helps to build an understanding and appreciation of learning. Having books in the home allows a child to explore books before they learn how to read. It is important the child learn how a book “works.” They will be able to learn how to identify the front and back of a book, top and bottom, turning the pages one at a time, moving from left to right. This helps every child be put on the path of success as school begins in childhood. This can help children recognize that reading is fun.

Then children will get involved if parents would set the example and make the time. Parents can show children that reading is fun to do and they will want to do it too. It can be something that they do together that

creates imagination and a creative side to children.

This effects more than just the child and parents. Siblings can read to each other. There are also programs and organizations that have been developed to connect communities and other countries together by donating books.

The Family Reading Program has brought over 350,000 books into community since 1995. They are a community based program that promotes children reading. Book Aid has created a website that collects books to send to Africa libraries. Children can donate books they have not been reading or have grown to old for and those children across sea’s can receive them so they can pick them up to read in their homes. One organization that has become pretty popular is “The Little Free Library”. A young man had built a little house much like a bird house, just bigger. Put it outside of his home and began putting books into it. The way this one works is that when one takes a book they put one it. People in neighborhoods are sharing books with each other and it has increased reading in communities as the idea has grown.

Be the Solution model a love for books and reading

A

s was stated earlier in this book, children like to mimic the behaviors of the adults in their life. Young children especially, want to do whatever their parents are doing. They want to help mow the lawn, do the dishes, wear their parent’s hat or shoes and grow up to be just like Mom or Dad. If a child sees their parents frequently enjoying books and celebrating reading then a child is far more likely to foster a love for reading as well. According to a study done by Common Sense Media, 44% of 6-17 year olds whose parents read 5-7 days per week are avid readers, reading 5 or more days per week. We often hear the phrase, “What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you say.” This is certainly true when it comes to being a positive reading role model for kids.

On the next page you will find 7 tips from Scholastics’ Parent and Child magazine for being a positive reading role model for children (or anyone for that matter.)

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Surround yourself with reading material

Books don’t belong only in libraries and classrooms.

Make the written word a part of your living space, with books, magazines, and newspapers readily available throughout your home.

Bring something to read everywhere you go

Read for leisure

Show that reading isn’t work. Cuddle up with a good book and you’ll model how reading can be just the thing to make your day.

Draw attention to all the things you read

Provide a bibliography for the things you talk about: When you explain why the sky is blue or who the first president of the United States was, tell your child which book helps you know these facts. You’ll show him how knowledge is largely shaped by the things we read and how reading connects us to the world.

From the office to home, or even the living room to the bedroom, make sure you’re equipped with reading material — for yourself and your child. You never know when you’ll have some downtime. Show him that reading is a constructive (and fun!) way to pass the time.

Whenever you’re going to the library or bookstore, let your child come along. Even if you aren’t looking for anything in particular, practice the art of book browsing and admiring. Make an event out of it and she’ll learn to be exhilarated by the sight of books.

Emphasize the universal importance of reading

Don’t be a solo reader

Open up conversations through reading by pausing to read an interesting fact aloud or wonder what an unfamiliar word means. Knowing that the reading experience is not a solitary activity will motivate reluctant readers.

Buy or borrow books together

Librarians, teachers, students, mechanics, lawyers, doctors, architects, athletes . . . everyone reads. Show your child that reading is part of everyone’s life by reading diverse works that serve different purposes.

Consider cookbooks, television manuals, online magazines, and cereal boxes. Make a habit out of living through reading.

makeideasreading fun Comprehension to create an enjoyable experience helping children understand what they read L

et’s help prepare our children for the day they will walk the halls of their high schools for the last time and say good bye to friends they saw everyday. At that day they can feel ready for their leap into the world and have the confidence it takes long before that day comes.

Reading is a powerful tool that helps teach confidence, principles, lessons, ethics, and self-discipline. Taking the time to sit and read with children every day is giving them an advantage to life skills that only we as a parent can give them, especially early on in life.

To make our children want to read we need to make it enjoyable. There are many ideas out there that help incorporate fun with reading time.

Now, more than ever before we need children who want to have their head in a book.

Here are some idea’s to get started with creating good reading experiences:

W

hile reading is critical, some children find themselves listening to words that have no meaning. They have the ability to sound out words, but they might as well be sounding out another language. The entire passage will make no difference if they do not comprehend what is being said. There are multiple ways we can help to check for and encourage understanding.

Applying these four simple ideas can build a child’s confidence when reading and help them to enjoy the stories they encounter.

Main Message

Vocabulary Words

Asking a child what the overall theme of the book was will allow them to summarize their learning. It will also allow you the opportunity to see if they caught on to what was being said. If they have a difficult time with an entire book, ask after a page or a paragraph.

Starting the conversation will make it so the time spent reading is more meaningful.

Taking the time to stop on new words or complex words will help the child understand the message more completely. You can begin by having them read the sentence and inserting a different word that they believe would fit there. This can help them learn synonyms and it will also help them increase their understanding.

Go on a picnic

Play games with books and stories

Read 20 minutes or more a day

Join a book club

Choose a special place and time

Have child tell favorite story

Predict the Future

Ask a Question

Go to storytime at the library

Have child read to you

Make pop-up books together

Ask about favorite part of the book

Have storytime with grandparents

Act out scenes in favorite books

Stopping before a key part of a story and asking a child what they think will happen will help them to be engaged and force them to use the information they have been given to make an informed prediction. When they are wrong, it can be fun to imagine what would have happened if the story went that way. If they are right, they get excited and become even more engaged in the reading.

One of the best things about children is their inquisitive nature. Let them learn by asking questions. Often it can start with you simply asking if there is anything that doesn’t make sense. Most of the time children have ideas about the story that don’t add up and it can be because of a simple mix up. Pausing to explain what is confusing will make the story more enjoyable and understandable for the child.

looking for more? check out these non-profits that help with children’s literacy Reading is Fundamental

Their vision is to have a “literate America in which all children have access to books and the opportunity to achieve their full potential through the life-changing power of reading.”

Check out their website at : http://www.rif.org/

National Center for Families Learning

They believe “ We all face challenges in helping our children succeed.

NCFL believes that all parents—regardless of socioeconomic or educational level—can help their children succeed in school and in life.”

Check out their website at : http://www.familieslearning.org/

Everybody Wins!

They are “devoted to promoting children’s literacy and a love of learning through shared reading experiences with caring individuals.”

Check out their website at : http://everybodywins.org/

LitWorld

Their mission is to “To empower young people to author lives of independence, hope, and joy.”

Check out their website at : http://www.litworld.org/

Room to Read

They envision “a world in which all children can pursue a quality education, reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the world.”

Check out their website at : http://www.roomtoread.org/

Jumpstart

Theytry to take theory and make it practice and they “Focus on progress and continuous improvement. Build knowledge, strengthen skill sets, and learn from a diverse set of perspectives.”

Check out their website at : http://www.jstart.org/

Moms on a Mission

speaking out to help the next generation succeed Tiffany Evans

I have a strong desire to create functional and easy to follow designs that allow the user to accomplish their desired task. I love presenting information in a way that is interesting and helpful. I find great fulfillment in helping companies brand themselves in a positive manner. When I’m not focusing on work use the same drive to help my family. I have a wonderful husband and five beautiful children. We work together to create an atmosphere that is fun, positive and has a strong love of learning and exploring.

what they see. They will come and ask if they can play on it too, or if they can go and do something on another screen in the house. They really do learn more from our actions than from our words.

I think it has made me realize just how important this topic really is. If I get excited about gaining information and reading, then my children do as well. It is not only the oldest, but all the way down to my toddler. She will come up to me holding books and ask that I read them to her. I know that when we sit down and do that she is getting the base that she needs to be successful later on in life.

There is a specific insight that I have had during this entire process and it is that time is key. The number of books in our home may be a determining factor in a child’s future success, but the time they are in those books is critical. If the books sit on the shelves gathering dust then they will be of no use to us. We need to open them, explore, ask questions and learn with our children. Igniting their curiosity and helping them understand that answers can be found in books will help them springboard their success in the future.

We have the opportunity to change the future. There is a downward trend that will lead to enormous negative outcomes if we allow the literacy rate to decrease. Let’s devote the time to improve the outlook and help the rising generation have the advantages reading offers!

Kira Bowen

Selection of Issue

I am a senior at BYU-Idaho and will be graduating this semester, making good on a 13 year old promise to myself. I am a University Studies Major with minors in Marriage and Family and Communication Management. I have been married for 13 years and spend the majority of my time chasing my 5 kids ages 11 to 2. If I find a spare moment I love to take on larger than life projects which always involve my treasured collection of power tools.

This topic is one of utmost importance. If you take away a person’s literacy you take away their ability to succeed. Early childhood education is key in my life because of my five young children. I have learned first hand that if you do not provide children with the skills that they need then they will quickly fall behind in all many areas. I spend a lot of time volunteering in schools and I see how a child’s reading capabilities affect not only their schoolwork, but also their self-esteem.

Taking the time to show people how important books are in the lives of young children is critical! I have seen the joy in my own children’s lives as books have come alive and would love to be a positive influence in helping that change to come in the lives of others as well.

Selection of Issue

We selected the issue of reading and having books in the home because we feel strong literacy is at the root of success both in academics and life in general. We felt it is a topic worth researching and bringing to the forefront of the minds of people. Society in general, adults and children, are doing less and less reading. We felt it especially important to reach out to parents to encourage reading both for themselves and for their children.

Team Member Tasks

I am the editor for this project. I spent a great deal of time taking all of the information that was gathered and putting it into a pleasing organization. I helped find resources to build our information. I talked with elementary education teachers to see what they thought was most important to include. I also put in a lot of effort working with the team to help decide what would be included in the project.

Strategic Research

I did not complete the strategic research assignment because I was assigned as the editor of the group. However I did find a lot of advocacy groups and focused on learning from those resources as well as studying the topic in the BYU-I online library.

Personal Reflection

This experience has been enlightening and helpful to reignite my efforts as a parent. I have five children, the oldest is nine and the youngest is 20 months. I have found that as I get busy, reading is what suffers. When I take the time to sit down with them every day their understanding improves. When I push reading down on the priority list I recognize that they have more struggles in their schoolwork.

Since starting this assignment I have made a specific effort to read more on my own in front of my children. It has been incredible to see how they mimic me. When I am sitting on the couch reading, they will come and sit next to me and start to read as well. I also noticed it when I am on my phone. I could be reading, but that is not

Team Member Tasks

I am writer #1. I spent time researching the history of literacy, reading pattern changes and the effects of the changes in technology on the amount of time people spend reading. I found information from a broad range of resources including research journals, history websites, and various government divisions. I was fascinated to discovery the evolution of literacy and how it continues to change. I also interviewed a professional librarian who gave me a first-hand account of how fewer kids (and adults) are reading. According to her experience she is seeing considerably less reading happening in the library but rather that people are using the computers to surf the net or play games. I believe her experience can be generalized and is not specific to her area.

Strategic Research

I spent many hours researching how the human race developed from scratching characters into clay to having access to tremendous amounts of information at their fingertips. At one point the average person was incredibly jealous of those who had the ability to read and now, as a general rule, people tend to choose watching TV or playing games over reading. And that statistic is getting more staggering as the years go by. I found it interesting

that among all of the possible variables that a parent being a reader themselves and scheduling reading time for their children are the 2 greatest indicators of the amount of time the child will read and how their love for reading will develop.

begin reading in their youth, as young as five years old, they are given a better chance to succeed. The resources that schools, libraries, and homes lack to teach children are simpler than our economy will admit. Parents need to be more involved and provide the time to teach their children.

Personal reflection

Strategic Research

While researching this topic I was amazing (but not really surprised) to see how much the amount of time that people are reading has dropped. It was just another reminder about how much screens have taken over the lives of our society. I believe that these screens have affected many other aspects of life just as dramatically and is something that people (especially parents) should be more aware of and make a more concentrated effort to reverse.

I have 5 children of various reading abilities and love for reading. This is something that we have been concerned about. We have been working with our reluctant reader in order to develop her love of books and her comprehension. This research has lit a new fire within me to work harder to be a better example by reading more books on my own time. Since being in school for the last couple of years I haven’t made much time for my own recreational reading. I believe that I could have a more positive influence on my kids and their love for reading as I make an effort to do that. I have also started compiling a master list of books that I would like to use as family read-alouds. I am understanding more and more that there isn’t time to waste and there are few better things to do with children than to read to them.

Our family recently set a goal to have extremely limited screen time. We don’t allow any TV on school nights and there are no playing games unless they are strictly math practice. I have noticed that my kids have naturally gravitated more towards exercise and books – both things that are far more beneficial than watching TV. I know that as we go above and beyond to provide quality reading materials and time in the schedule to read that they will develop those reading skills and their love for reading which will be something they will pass on to the next generation.

Crystal Hymas

I am completing a Marriage and Family Bachelors Degree and a Family History Research Degree through Brigham Young University in Idaho. My husband and I are parents of two beautiful children. We live in Eastern Idaho. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Increasing education and family centered activities is at the core of who I am. I enjoy hiking, motor cross, crafts, cooking, and being with my children.

Selection of Issue

Working on the Issue’s Book with Tiffany Evans, Hillary X, and Kira Bowen has been a great experience. Each of us has a desire for children to receive the best future possible. Children reading books early in their youth gives them a greater chance at bettering other skills like speaking and writing. All of these aspects continue to build over the years, adding to them being prepare for high school, college, and career placements. We chose our topic because we care about the children in this world, not just those in our homes or our communities.

Team member task

I am writing #2. I took responsibility for the “Scope” section of the Issues Book. I focused my research on what was the problem and how it has affected people who do not read well. I was able to identify that when children

In the part I covered the importance of focusing on “Who is responsible for teaching children (to read)?” My research covered different websites, journals, testimonies of school teachers with hands on experience, and parents with blogs. I focused on “How does a lack of literacy effect the overall academic achievement and success of a child?” I conducted an hour long interview. I learned that children fail from other reasons that stem from not knowing how to read or comprehend what they see before them. It is difficult to place blame on schools when families have learned these bare essentials through rougher times than what we now live. Not reading affects a child’s future now!

“What can hold children back from reading?” I believe that, as stated, parents need to be more involved and stop depending on others to fix the problem. We each can do that by “Reading in the home”. There are many programs that I found who are searching to bring books into the home. These programs also give new ways for other children who receive books to serve and recycle their books. This type of behavior can increase obedience and self-respect.

Personal Reflection

Social cultures in the world today push parents further away from parenting and with that they (we) are pushing education out of the lives of children. I have been working with my daughter who is now four years old. She learns fast and is ready to learn. The days or weeks I slack I can tell that I have lost precious time and opportunity to keep her developing her skills.

When our children come home from schools at the end of a day we can count the hours that they are really learning and compare that to how long they are gone. Are our children really getting the education they need with that time or is a babysitting committee with really good techniques to get kids to jump through hoops.

Many teachers have a sincere desire to educate children. But the school systems are actually holding them back because the children go home and for the most part leave homework at school; it is now schoolwork. As American’s we should know that to increase the learning in our schools we need to increase the learning in our homes first. This involves parents and the books to teach with. Every home can make a difference.

Hillary Ampiah-Davis

I am a senior at BYU-Idaho and will be graduating this semester. I am a Marriage and Family Studies major and am currently doing my internship at North Star Elementary school, where I have been involved in planning College Week. I married my sweetheart 13 years ago, and we have 5 rambunctious children (11 years to 6 months), who keep us on our toes. When not busy with my classwork or my family, I’m contemplating my next hairstyle. :)

Selection of Issue

We selected this issue because we feel reading is the key to learning. As the saying goes, ‘give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’, it is the same with reading. If you read to a child you pique their interest, when you teach them to read you awaken their curiosity to the world around them. Reading is the foundation of

all learning. As parents, I believe reading to and with our children is of the utmost importance. From my own experience, children are more engaged and motivated to learn when they learn to read for themselves.

We need to encourage every family to make reading in the home a daily activity, as the ability to read impacts a child for their entire life. Students who don’t read proficiently by 3rd grade are 4 times more likely to drop out of school. If students have not mastered reading by the by the end of 4th grade, two-thirds of them will most likely find themselves in jail or on welfare as adults. These are staggering statistics. Hopefully they can be reversed by getting books into homes, and teaching the children how to use them.

Team Member Tasks

I am writer #3. I spent time researching the ramifications of books in the home, which if read, hold the key for learning. I found resources through the BYU-Idaho library, which helped cement in my mind the importance of reading at home. I also researched foundations dedicated to increase reading in certain states and throughout the country. According to my interviewee, programs that are started at the local level usually have a greater impact than those at the national level.

Strategic Research

After spending hours (and hours) researching, I had an enormous amount of information regarding the importance of reading and reading in the home. Unfortunately because the amount of screen time has increased for most families, time spent reading has decreased. I was able to interview Utah’s 2015, 5th Grade Teacher of the Year, Mohsen Ghaffari. He affirmed that access to books is the key to success in school and in life. A child who learns how to read and practices reading will have the ability to flourish in all other aspects of learning.

Personal Reflection

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Ghaffari, Mohsen. Conversation about the Value of Literature in the Home. Personal interview. 17 Mar. 2016.

While researching this topic, I was astonished with the information I found about illiteracy in the U.S. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own family’s habits of reading and watching. It helped me refocus on the gravity of keeping screens off and books open. I recommitted to having materials to read available and making time to sit with my children and read with them. Knowing that reading affects lifetime learning gives me an additional reason to take 30 minutes to read to my children at bedtime. And to have the courage to maintain my sanity when doing so.

Home. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.familyreading.org

Reading with my youngest three children has suffered because of my insane schedule. But after having done an extensive amount of research on this topic, I have rededicated myself to reading with them throughout the day.

Whenever I have a moment of free time, I reflect on my research and take 5 or 10 minutes to share a quick story with them. Even though the time spent reading throughout the day is not long, I do what I can in order for them to recognize the importance of reading.

Jalongo, Mary Renck. Young Children and Picture Books. 2nd ed. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2004. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

I am impressed to see many programs dedicated to reading throughout the country. It is comforting to see that many others see reading as an integral part of life. If we continue to read to our own family, participate in community reading programs and use our public libraries, it will encourage reading through not only our words, but our actions.

Highscope Educational Research Foundation, 2005. Early Literacy Content and Supporting Research. Retrieved on 03/ 20/2016 from http://www.highscope.org/file/EducationalPrograms/ReadingInstitute/grc_research_support.pdf Jacobs, Tom. (2010) Home Libraries Provide Huge Educational Advantage. Retrieved on 03/12/2016 from http://www. psmag.com/books-and-culture/home-libraries-provide-huge-educational-advantage-14212

Jalongo, Mary Renck, et al. “Using Wordless Picture Books To Support Emergent Literacy.” Early Childhood Education Journal 29.3 (2002): 167. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Mar. 2016.

Jones, Patti. The Brainy Benefits of Bedtime Stories. Retrieved on 03/21/2016 from http://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/books/the-brainy-benefits-of-bedtime-stories/ National Education Association. Facts about Children’s Literacy. Retrieved on 02/12/2016 from http://www.nea.org/grants/ facts-about-childrens-literacy.html (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://www.pbs.org/launchingreaders/readingformeaning/helpfularticles_2.html Peck, Nicholeen. “Children Say “I Can’t” When Really They Can”. Teaching Self Government.

Rothman, L. (2013, November 20). FYI, Parents: Your Kids Watch A Full-Time Job’s Worth of TV Each Week. Retrieved from http://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/20/fyi-parents-your-kids-watch-a-full-time-jobs-worth-of-tv-each-week/

Shapiro, J. (2014, May 13). Kid’s Don’t Read Books Because Parent’s Don’t Read Books. Retrieved from http://www.forbes. com/sites/jordanshapiro/2014/05/13/kids-dont-read-books-because-parents-dont-read-books/#ed539cb4faab The Impact of Skipping Reading at Home. Retrieved on 03/20/2016 from http://ibelieveeducation.com/is-your-child-skipping-a-few-days-of-reading-at-home/ Tom, J. (n.d.). Be a Reading Role Model. Retrieved from Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/ reading-together/be-reading-role-model Top 10 Things You Should Know About Reading. Retrieved on 0312/2016 from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/top10-things-you-should-know-about-reading Tunnell, Michael O. “Growing Up Reading.” McKay Today Magazine 1 Jan. 2016: 3+. Print.