We hear it more and more every day. Parents say, “My kids never stick to anything.” “My son started playing soccer and he didn’t like it, so he quit.” “My daughter began gymnastics lessons but she didn’t like it, so she quit.” We seem to be developing a generation of young people who give up before giving anything a real chance. Isn’t this something that all of us tried to do as youngsters?
Growing up, my parents read a story to me every night. I always assumed it was the standard in every child’s bedtime routine across the country. As a teacher with my degree in Early Childhood Education, I know the importance of reading to children. The benefits associated with a simple daily bedtime story seem endless. Imagine my amazement when I read the statistic stating that only 39% of parents read to their children on a daily basis (Young, Davis, and Schoen, 1996). In a word, I was flabbergasted. I’ve witnessed the struggling readers and the impact that has on their daily lives. When a child has difficulties reading, everything in school suffers as a result. Would something as simple as a daily ten minute bedtime story interaction between a parent and child prevent these kids from struggling throughout their school years? Could it really be that simple? I want parents to know how vital it is to read to their children everyday.