The Extinction of the Bookworms

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

My Gift from Roald Dahl and Mrs. Jones

One of my most cherished memories from elementary school is sitting around Mrs. Jones and hearing her read The Big Friendly Giant by Roald Dahl. I remember sitting on the edge of my seat, imagination soaring, and creeping closer while the pages turned. As the story went on, the plot thickened, and I started to notice that I was more excited for her to read the next chapter than I was for recess. Looking back now, it was her funny character voices and dedication to story-telling that sparked my love for words and books. Who would have thought that some unconventional teaching paired with the amazing story of an orphan who joins the fight against evil giants would influence me enough to keep studying literature in college?

Today, however, I’m nervous that this same love of reading and books is disappearing. Average reading levels continue going down and attention is constantly focused in so many different places. Here are just a few of the problems this is causing:

•  “Many states use third-grade reading scores to predict the number of jail cells they might need in the future (about three out of five prisoners in America are illiterate).”
•  Most people say libraries and bookstores are becoming extinct. It is even projected that they’ll be functionless by 2019.
• “It is estimated that the cost of illiteracy to businesses and the taxpayers is $20 billion per year.”
• “Children who have not developed some basic literacy skills by the time they enter school are 3 - 4 times more likely to drop out in later years.”
• “American high school students are reading books at 5th-grade-appropriate levels.”

Don’t Take it for Granted

Reading has always been and continues to be the backbone of support for our ability to learn. We can never learn enough and it feels good to pick up some new vocabulary words along the way.

Additionally, a good read can take us to new realms that we would have never thought of exploring. It’s easy to overlook, but we should appreciate the power and unity that books provide, as well as these other interesting ways that reading is beneficial:

• “Research conducted in 2009 at Mindlab International at the University of Sussex showed that reading was the most effective way to overcome stress, beating out old favorites”
•  Some studies show that reading will help keep the mind and memory sharper as we age and can even stop the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
• There are links to an increase in empathy and understanding of others when we read fiction.
• Reading will boost creativity and imagination as a good read will often take you to new places. 
• It makes more intelligent overall by increasing IQ scores as well as standard test scores. 
• “A study by the National Endowment for the Arts found that people who regularly read are much more likely to be engaged civically and culturally. Which means reading actually makes you win at life.”
• “If a child reads for 20 minutes every day, they are exposed to about 1.8 million words of text every year. That is 137 new words per minute!”

Reading That Changed History

On top of the benefits that I just listed, there are times when literacy has changed the course of history. For example, when Johannes Guttenberg invented his printing press, he substantially increased people’s ability to learn. Much like the internet now, his revolutionary idea brought more information to more people and changed the course of history. Here are some history-changing books as well:

1. The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx: In a time of deadly working conditions this book, “detailed a process for the working class to rise up and eliminate class struggles.”

2. The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine: “Paine’s book states that the government’s role is to protect the rights of its citizens, and when the government cannot do so, it should be overthrown. This book was written to defend the French Revolution and was an inspiration for democracy around the world.”

3. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriett Beecher Stowe: “Written by a middle-aged, white woman in 1851, Uncle Tom’s Cabin has been credited for changing the views of slavery in the North and continues to serve as a reminder of the effects of slavery and other inhumane acts.”

Every Child Needs a Mrs. Jones

While there are many benefits to reading, there are also several that kids will get just from you reading to them. So, get the youngsters gathered around and they will start soaking up the awesome perks below. You might even inspire a few future English majors to carry on the new passion you’ve given them!

• “For every year you read with your child, average lifetime earnings increase by $50,000. You make a $250,000 gift to your child from birth to age 5 by reading aloud, just 20 minutes a day!”
• “If families read together for 20 minutes a day, 7 days a week, they get more than 121 hours of bonding time every year!” (Remember, classrooms are like families!)
•  You show them that you like reading and your positive example will lead them to enjoy it as well.
• It prepares kids for academic success by, “building their vocabulary, language and literacy skills, while improving concentration, curiosity and memory”
• You teach them life lessons because as stories go on and conflicts come about, you can talk through them and show them how to understand problems. 

Wow! Our Teacher is so Cool!

This is what you’ll be hearing a lot of when you try out these new reading techniques to make story time the best time of the day:

1. Take character roles- Bring those characters and the lessons they teach us into the room by giving them each specific voices that you use throughout the story.

2. Break out of your shell- Sometimes it takes really getting into character and removing the fear of judgement to get a kid’s attention. We all know those kids who aren’t shy of anything and you shouldn’t be either!

3. Use illustrations- Providing illustrations can bring a story to the real world. For example, use maps, the book cover, and pictures of real places to do this.

4. Create a cozy reading area- When you’re uncomfortable, it can be nearly impossible to concentrate. Make sure the kids are comfy and can settle into your reading circle.

5. Let the kids help choose the books- Giving kids a few choices really makes them feel important and will increase their overall engagement. 

It’s Our Responsibility

By this point, you’re probably wondering why in the world a company called Fitness Finders is creating awareness, programs, and incentives to encourage reading. However, we see the value of supporting children and youth workers in all aspects of life. This is especially true with reading and the lack of it lately. So, keep taking advantage of your position as a role model, and never underestimate your influence on the growing minds around you. People like you truly inspire us to keep doing what we do. I may have never really received a physical gift from Roald Dahl or Mrs. Jones, but they gave me something that money could never buy. You have this same unique opportunity to change a life.

HAPPY READING!


If you’re interested in Roald Dahl like I am, you’ve probably heard about the new BFG movie. But if you haven’t, check out the trailer here and maybe even pick up a copy of the book to share with your kids.




Sources:

http://rossdawsonblog.com/weblog/archives/2007/10/extinction_time.html
https://www.kidcentraltn.com/article/benefits-of-reading-to-your-child
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/top-reading_n_1373680.html
http://www.readfaster.com/education_stats.asp
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/12/health-benefits-reading_n_4081258.html
http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/12-scientific-ways-reading-can-actually-improve-your-life#.lpLo6PpLMq
http://www.raisesmartkid.com/all-ages/1-articles/14-the-benefits-of-reading-to-your-child
http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/50_books_that_changed_the_world/