March is National Reading Month, a celebration that encourages reading for all ages and promotes reading as a key feature for learning, social, and professional development. At Lancaster City Schools, we take the encouragement of reading seriously year-round and have been recognized for those efforts.
It is equally important, however, for parents and guardians to continue encouraging students to read even when it's not an academic requirement. A recent article in Psychology Today reported that children who read for pleasure from a relatively younger age were more likely to show improved cognitive performance (higher IQ), language development, and academic achievement (grades and performance in school). They found that reading for pleasure was associated with fewer mental health problems, including being less likely to have attention problems, fewer symptoms of stress, and fewer behavioral problems. Reading for pleasure was also associated with less screen time and longer sleep duration.
As positive as that data is, it can be challenging to implement a reading routine into an already busy day, and harder still to force your child to like reading for pleasure. Some creative suggestions include:
Model good reading behavior. If kids see you reading, they will be more likely to pick up a book themselves.
Read together before bedtime. Get quality time together at the end of the day.
Get a library card. Studies show that children who frequent a library tend toward reading for pleasure.
Let them choose. All reading is good reading. Let kids know that reading is great no matter what they're interested in. Anything goes - fiction, biographies, kids' magazines, comic books, or even reading a cookbook in the kitchen!
Create a reading nook. A cozy, snuggle-friendly area in your home can be turned into the family "reading zone." Just add blankets, pillows, a bean bag chair, and a window or lamp!
Read with friends. A book club with friends can give kids a way to share and learn about different opinions. Kids can talk about a book, their favorite characters, or how they think the book could have ended differently.
If you can encourage a student to read, know that the benefits will be life-long. And the sooner you can get your student to enjoy a good book, the better. Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, which is important for boosting cognition and mental well-being. Good brain health at this age is directly linked to better mental health, cognition, and educational attainment in adolescence and adulthood. It can also provide resilience in times of stress. For more information about the benefits of reading, visit www.readingfoundation.org.
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