Opening Up on Book “Sense”

Well … August has arrived, and I guess it’s about time to put the beach flip-flops and saved vacation brochures away and start focusing on such “fun” things as the school enrollment checklist for the kids, end-of-year deadlines and soon-to-come seasonal activities. It’s back to the ole grind!

This month is widely thought to signal a perceived shift and refocus on the pursuit of education and academic success, particularly with kids. Each year, back-to-school movements, triggered by school supply deals and tax-free shopping weekends, usually result in funny stories, evening news clips and YouTube videos, some very disturbing indeed. Although these can be funny and great discussion topics, the pursuit of an education is a serious matter. There are many critical components in the education process, but one of the most important ones is reading enrichment. Someone once said that reading a book can change a life and take an individual anywhere around the world with the “footsteps” of imagination.  I believe this to be true.

I’m certain that most have an understanding of how critical reading is to a child’s cognitive and educational development process. Even so, I feel that as a nation we are drifting into a reading deficit crisis, clearly supported by national statistics, which paint a troubling picture of kids being seemingly swept away from the art and discipline of reading enrichment, often brought about by an overindulging, imbalanced and unsupervised usage of social media, video games, computers, smartphone technology and other devices. The lack of adult supervision and structured guidance has opened the “floodgate” to irresponsible and imbalanced use, and with it, a growing loss of appetite for reading. Not to be misunderstood, technological advancements are NOT inherently bad at all—only the improper and unwise use of them.

How important is reading? According to statistics, more than 70 percent of those incarcerated in America cannot read above a fourth-grade level. Sadly, more than 60 percent of all inmates are functionally illiterate. National statistics also indicate that one in four children in America will grow up without learning how to read, and students that don't read proficiently by the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. In addition, 85 percent of the juveniles that face trial in the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate, suggesting that there is a potential relationship between illiteracy and crime.

For sure, there are other significant contributing factors negatively impacting the lives as defined by the statistics above; however, there does seem to be at least one common denominator that keeps emerging: the inability to read. This month’s editorial theme is Parenting with Presence and Creativity. And, I feel there is an urgent need for parents everywhere to start cultivating a much more proactive and positive “presence” in the lives of their children when it comes to reading enrichment. Start with reading a book together with the kids, followed by an engaging and thoughtful discussion. Also, and very important, consider setting new rules and guidelines outlining the proper use of technology. Creating a presence enriched with reading is vital. As one popular author once observed, “He that loves reading has everything within his reach.” Continue your own education as well … read on!  

With a love for reading,

Annette Briggs