Collaborative Practice - Save The Children: Kids Don't Read Books Because Parents Don't Read Book

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2014/05/13/kids-dont-read-books-because-parents-dont-read-books/

I found an article written from a fathers perspective about reading to children. He writes about how important it is to read to children. He argues that technology can be seen to be pulling children away from reading but this is not the case. It doesn't matter how the child reads as long as they read; whether it is something they are interested in on screen or in a book. He argues it is the parents responsibility to enforce reading but also to set a good example. If children see their parent reading then they will be more likely to read. When a child watches their parent do something, they are more likely to copy.

Below are some quotes that stood out to me.

"When it comes to books, however, most studies show that the text delivery method is irrelevant. Good reading behavior has nothing to do with technology. E-readers, tablets, laptop screens are all capable of delivering long-form text. Books have nothing to do with paper. In fact, electronic devices only increase access to books. A report from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center released earlier this year explains that “a majority of children ages 2 to 10 have access to a device for electronic reading: 55% have a multipurpose tablet in the home, and 29% have a dedicated e-reader (62% have access to at least one of these devices). Among children with one of these devices in the home, half (49%) engage in electronic reading, either on their own or with their parent (30% of all children).” Books matter; how kids read them doesn’t."

"My kids read on the iPad, the e-reader, and paper. I make sure of it. I read to my kids every night. I read with my kids during the day. I do it because I see it as a crucial piece of their education. I can’t just outsource the raising of my children to specialists–and then complain that those teachers are failing. It is obvious to me that parents also need to be involved. They need to make sure their children read books."

"Teach your kids to read. And teach your kids that it matters what they read. "

- I like this quote and think we could twist it and use it in our project. Perhaps 'teach your kids to read. Teach your kids reading matters' This would really get across that reading benefits them, its not just nagging it is beneficial and will affect your childs later life.

"At the end of the day, how our children read and what our children read says a lot more about adult attitudes about books than it does about the kids’. Model the behaviors and attitudes you want your children to emulate."