Sunday, November 25, 2007

Perks of Reading


Via al.com:

Creating lifelong readers

Posted by tscarrit November 25, 2007 3:31 AM

If you are reading this col­umn, chances are you are more successful than the average person, more involved in your community and less likely to be in prison.

That is not because of anything I have written. It is because you have chosen to read.

A new study by the Na­tional Endowment for the Arts suggests that reading transforms lives. "Regular reading not only boosts the likelihood of an individual's academic and economic success -- facts that are not especially surprising -- but it also seems to awaken a person's social and civic sense," wrote Dana Gioia, chairman of the NEA.

While correlation is not the same as cause and ef­fect, it is clear from the new report, "To Read or Not To Read," that all kinds of posi­tive measures go along with voluntary reading. Those who cannot read, or choose not to read, do not fare so well.

After considering data from a number of studies, the NEA reports three conclusions: "Americans are spending less time reading. Reading comprehension skills are eroding. These declines have serious civic, so­cial, cultural and economic implications."

Read more

theteach

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

*nods* i believe it...i started reading when i was four..."voracious" doesn't even begin to describe how obsessed i was with reading, and the love has only grown! both my brother and i are considered advanced readers and it shows in our writing and speaking abilities...my mother never pushed us to read...she taught us the alphabet and we flew from there! i wish more people would read; adults are so critical of my generation's test scores on state tests...well, it's because they don't push reading! they really should because it helps in all areas of school AND life!

maryt/theteach said...

You are so right, semper! Thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it!

judi/Gmj said...

Just found this! I will be sending my daughter to this site for inspiration for her kids!

maryt/theteach said...

Thanks, judi! Hope it helps your daughter and her kids! :)