Help to improve Literacy

There are many efforts to improve literacy in the world. A few I've encountered are:

• Raise a Reader
• Room to Read
• Family Literacy Day

Well known people are also helping, such as Robert Munch and Oprah Winfrey.

Sometimes studies waste our time in my opinion. In one study of young children who were listening to narrations of illustrated stories, the testers used electronic devises to determine the child's eye movements. They found that the child's eyes looked at the pictures far more than the texts. DUH!

They concluded that these children would not learn vocabulary or reading by being read to. What a waste of money on a study that proves that one picture is worth a thousand words.

In my opinion the child having this experience:

• Learns to listen
• Learns to follow storylines or plots
• Develops a bond with the narrator
• Learns to appreciate books and develops a desire to read
• Does increase vocabulary
• Enjoys feeling worthwhile and enjoys a sense of security
• Develops an imagination
• Gains knowledge and thus widens horizons

However, literacy begins in the home. It's your move.

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