- Jul 30, 2005
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I have never been a parent. But I am a child, and for 18 years I was one of those children who is not considered an adult 
. Therefore, I would like to share what I think is one of the best things that a parent can do for a child.
I think that one of the best things that a parent can do for a child--something that a child will greatly benefit from as an adult--is to encourage him or her to read.
I did a lot of reading when I was growing up. I watched television and movies, played video games, etc. like most kids, but probably not as much as most kids (I didn't listen to music, though; I didn't discover music until I was 15 or 16 yrs. old, and I did not start collecting and regularly listening to a lot of music until I was in my late teens / early twenties). People say that I am a walking sports encyclopedia. They can't believe how much I remember about sports. Part of that is due to my watching a lot of ESPN when I was growing up (I especially loved NFL Films programs). But it is also due to something else that I did when I was growing up: Reading a lot of books and periodicals about sports.
I don't have a PhD in English, Educational Psychology or anything, but I am convinced that a sure way to learn to read is to do a lot of reading. When I volunteered in adult literacy I told my students that formal instruction, exercises, etc. are important but that the thing that most made me the reader and writer that I am today was doing a lot of reading on my own. Formal instruction in school does build a lot of literacy. But I am convinced that my expansive vocabulary, above-average writing skills, critical reading and thinking skills, problem solving skills, research skills and many other intellectual and communication tools are the result of my doing a lot of reading on my own.
I am not downplaying the role of good teachers and good schools. None of us could accomplish much vocationally or intellectually without the strong foundation that formal elementary and secondary education gives us. I am simply saying that one will build a lot on that foundation if his parents encourage him to do a lot of reading.
I encourage all parents to take every opportunity to introduce your children to the world of literacy. Libraries. Magazine subscriptions. Book sales. Chain bookstores. Reference books. Writing in many different forms. I am glad that my parents did it for me.
Not only does reading develop a lot of tools and skills, it connects a person with the world. The written word is a powerful way to develop an optimal understanding of oneself, others and the past and present world that we all share.
I am not an expert, so I could be wrong, but I don't think that it matters what a child reads. Whatever interests him or her. Whatever makes him or her want to read. For me it was the world of sports. But I eventually diversified. I am convinced that I would not have been the reader that I was when I started to diversify if I had not done so much reading about sports. The important thing is that a child is reading and appreciating and enjoying it.
I just wanted to share that. Thank you for reading. I appreciate all that you all do as parents.
. Therefore, I would like to share what I think is one of the best things that a parent can do for a child.I think that one of the best things that a parent can do for a child--something that a child will greatly benefit from as an adult--is to encourage him or her to read.
I did a lot of reading when I was growing up. I watched television and movies, played video games, etc. like most kids, but probably not as much as most kids (I didn't listen to music, though; I didn't discover music until I was 15 or 16 yrs. old, and I did not start collecting and regularly listening to a lot of music until I was in my late teens / early twenties). People say that I am a walking sports encyclopedia. They can't believe how much I remember about sports. Part of that is due to my watching a lot of ESPN when I was growing up (I especially loved NFL Films programs). But it is also due to something else that I did when I was growing up: Reading a lot of books and periodicals about sports.
I don't have a PhD in English, Educational Psychology or anything, but I am convinced that a sure way to learn to read is to do a lot of reading. When I volunteered in adult literacy I told my students that formal instruction, exercises, etc. are important but that the thing that most made me the reader and writer that I am today was doing a lot of reading on my own. Formal instruction in school does build a lot of literacy. But I am convinced that my expansive vocabulary, above-average writing skills, critical reading and thinking skills, problem solving skills, research skills and many other intellectual and communication tools are the result of my doing a lot of reading on my own.
I am not downplaying the role of good teachers and good schools. None of us could accomplish much vocationally or intellectually without the strong foundation that formal elementary and secondary education gives us. I am simply saying that one will build a lot on that foundation if his parents encourage him to do a lot of reading.
I encourage all parents to take every opportunity to introduce your children to the world of literacy. Libraries. Magazine subscriptions. Book sales. Chain bookstores. Reference books. Writing in many different forms. I am glad that my parents did it for me.
Not only does reading develop a lot of tools and skills, it connects a person with the world. The written word is a powerful way to develop an optimal understanding of oneself, others and the past and present world that we all share.
I am not an expert, so I could be wrong, but I don't think that it matters what a child reads. Whatever interests him or her. Whatever makes him or her want to read. For me it was the world of sports. But I eventually diversified. I am convinced that I would not have been the reader that I was when I started to diversify if I had not done so much reading about sports. The important thing is that a child is reading and appreciating and enjoying it.
I just wanted to share that. Thank you for reading. I appreciate all that you all do as parents.
