Why Reading?
Children have an innate love of stories. Stories create magic and a sense of wonder at the world. Stories teach us about life, about ourselves and about others. Storytelling is a unique way for children to develop an understanding, respect and appreciation for other cultures, and can promote a positive attitude to people from different lands, races and religions. (British Council)
Stories can...
Promote a feeling of well-being and relaxation
Increase children's willingness to communicate thoughts and feelings
Encourage active participation
Increase verbal proficiency
Encourage use of imagination and creativity
Encourage cooperation between students
Enhance listening skills
Enhance intercultural understanding and communication
In terms of educational and socio-economic benefits...
Reading aloud to kids each day puts them almost 12 months ahead by school age.
The best predictor for academic success is the quantity and quality of words kids hear by age 4.
Kids hear 72% more unique words from books than from conversation.
Kids in welfare homes hear 30+ million fewer words than kids in well-to-do homes.
85 percent of juveniles who enter the court system are functionally illiterate.
Governments and businesses are now responding....
The United Arab Emirates has declared 2016 as the Year of Reading.
Childhood literacy as a primary initiative for Indigenous Australians to “close the gap”.
The UK government has announced a phonics drive to help children master reading basics.
McDonalds worldwide has begun replacing toys in Happy Meals with books.
You can read more literacy facts and reading initiatives on our Blog.