Welcome to part 4 of our sneak peek posts into Doctor Hammond’s soon to be titled book on raising emotionally healthy children. This week we’re talking about literacy rates and their effect on our children.
Do you think your child’s current reading level isn’t a big deal? Did you know that “2 /3 of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare?” In fact, more than “70% of America’s inmates cannot read above a 4th grade level.”* Another scary statistic is that “Students who don’t read proficiently by the 3rd grade are 4 times likelier to drop out of school.” Amazingly enough, 25% of our kids will grow up never having learned how to read, and yes, that’s in the United States.
Illiterate children that grow up to be illiterate or poor readers are more likely to have children out of wedlock, need food stamps, suffer from health problems, the list goes on and on. The good news is, you can help change these statistics and it starts with your children. We live in a day and age where it’s easier than ever to help our kids increase their reading levels. Here are just a few things you can do to help your children improve their literacy:
- Encourage them to play games! Specifically, games on sites like Fun English Games. This website features free interactive English games that assist children with writing, reading, grammar, spelling and more. These games help your children forget they are learning by simply providing an enjoyable experience.
- Take them to the local library for story time. Story tellers will sometimes do read alongs which helps children to understand how words sound as they see them on the page.
- You can also get access to guided readings online via sites like Youtube. Get your child the book that the youtuber will be reading and have them follow along as it’s read to them.
- If all else fails you could also read along with your children. Something as simple as reading a book with them or having them read it to you can do wonders for their literacy. And, as a bonus- if they are reading it to you, you will be beginning to prepare them for public speaking in the future.
- You can also ask your kids to read things to you everywhere you go. Street signs, billboards, benches, etc… The more they practice and get used to reading the easier it will come to them.
The important thing is to keep reading as fun as possible. If your children are having trouble reading, look into what’s behind the struggle. Then, you can break down the problem with them and help them power through.
Stay tuned for more updates weekly on Doctor Hammond’s book. Next time we’ll continue the conversation about literacy and discuss the age you should start encouraging your children to read. We also would like to take a quick moment to remind you that we would love for you to leave a comment below about our updates and sneak peaks. Who knows? Your feedback could shape the layout of the book or encourage aspects of the various sections we will be discussing! We’d love your feedback!
* https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-literacy-america