Wed, Jan 07 2009
|
|
Published July 09, 2008 07:20 pm - A study by the National Endowment for the Arts found that as adolescent reading for pleasure declines, so do scores on reading and writing exams. Mat Anderson: Parents should encourage reading When I was a kid, I didn’t particularly enjoy reading.
I don’t think I ever completely read a book that didn’t have pictures until I was 16. I wrote book reports based on the information I had gleaned from a book’s first chapter, last chapter, and the synopsis on the back cover and by choosing books that had been made into movies that I’d seen. To me, reading was something that people did before modern technology, such as TV and cell phones. I thought that since those superior forms of entertainment and communication are available, books, and the skills associated with reading them, were obsolete. This attitude is shared by many teens, and it’s affecting their performance in school the real world. A study by the National Endowment for the Arts found that as adolescent reading for pleasure declines, so do scores on reading and writing exams. Performance in other academic disciplines, such as math and science, have dipped for students whose access to books is limited. Employers are rating young workers as deficient in basic writing skills. What’s even more troubling is that in this technological age, young people are becoming more dependent, not less, on reading and writing skills. According to the International Reading Association, adolescents entering the adult world in the 21st century will read and write more than at any other time in human history. Because of these findings, it is important that parents and educators encourage teens to read. Doing so does more than just affect teens’ literacy: it increases vocabulary; improves their ability to communicate through writing; helps them get better grade; and teaches them more about people and the world around them. Research also shows that people who read for pleasure are more likely to visit museums, attend music and sporting events and are three times more likely to do charity and volunteer work. Unfortunately, these benefits of reading probably aren’t going to persuade the average teenager to crack open a copy of Moby Dick. Instead, parents must try other tactics to encourage reading among young people: * Help fit reading into their schedule. Teens say they would read more if they had the time. * Set an example. Let your teen see you reading for pleasure. * Don’t force it. Reading shouldn’t be forced like doing chores around the house. To develop a lifelong habit of reading, teens need to read for their own pleasure. * Let them choose. Buy a subscription to your teen’s favorite magazine or give a gift card to bookstore. This is a good way to encourage reading without it feeling forced. * Provide reading material. By leaving magazines, newspapers and books lying around in various rooms of the house, you enable your teen to choose when and what to read. * Observe their interests. Keep an eye out for books and articles about your teen’s favorite band, sports team or celebrities, and suggest he or she check them out. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Health & Family section
Water aerobics offer different way to get workout Jane Drummond: Pediatrician offers tips to keep children healthy |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
The Joplin Globe Publishing Company 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. |
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
