“Reading Rage”

By

Gerry Niskern

There has been a lot written lately about the fine art of reading. Everyone agrees that reading enriches lives; but the big question is how do you instill that desire to absorb the written word into today’s children?

Let me ask you something. Do you have kids or grandkids, nieces or nephews? Be honest. How many electronic games have you bought them on gift giving occasions? How many children’s books did you purchase?

Kids are no different now than in years past. They respond to what they are offered. When toddlers, if they receive only toys with computer chips inside that allow the user to push a button to see it light up, talk or move, when they get older they will gravitate to electronic games instead of reading in leisure time.

.          I don’t know if you have noticed, but the toy stores have a very limited amount of books these days. We all know each child is unique, and some will actually choose a book over a toy if given the opportunity. Consider alternating a trip to the bookstore between trips to the toy store. Children’s imagination and curiosity needs to be constantly encouraged. What better way than a new book that requires visualizing the setting and characters in endless ways?

All infants need to be read to. There is no thrill to equal the sound of your first baby pointing to “ball, bird, or baby” in a book and saying the words out loud. As they grow up reading provides a quiet respite in hectic young lives. They need to get away from their frantic world, turn real pages and let their imagination flow.

When my family moved to Phoenix years ago, I discovered a wonderful building, the Phoenix Carnegie Library. I left that building loaded down with an armful of books every week. Every child should experience that feeling of elation and possibilities when he staggers out the door of the neighborhood library with an armload of books. A trip to your local library for even an hour once a week can be the cornerstone of a lifetime of enjoyable reading.

During this election, as in years past, we hear endless politician’s declarations of why children can’t read. Teachers are blamed. Parents are blamed. When you stop to think about it, there are many reasons, lots of blame to go around. In many families there is no money for storybooks or time for trips to the library when both parents are working two jobs to provide necessities like food and shelter.

A simple gesture like Governor Neapolitan of Arizona’s plan a few years ago,  to give every child in first and fourth grade a book of their own was a beginning. Those privately paid for books provided kids with a volume to read and dream over again and again, because it was theirs to keep! Who knows what ripple effect those precious books had in young lives by providing that spark of enthusiasm that is the key to all those doors of life?

Those of us who can provide books for the little ones should do so and often. Everyone agrees that if toddlers are read to every day, they will learn to read easier. But will they become avid readers? Who knows? Hopefully, the majority will, if given early exposure to books.

The rewards are endless. Who knows? When those kids are adults, they might even call you up and say, “Hey, I’m reading this great book. Do you want it when I’m finished”.