The Value of Reading

By Bridget Rieth | Early Literacy Coach, Kent ISD

Reading matters — of course it does! I know it, you know it, schools certainly know it, kids even suspect it: reading is important to success in life. When and what kids read
also matters. Elementary students interact with text throughout their school day. Teachers read to and with them, children read to themselves in developmentally guided ways, and sometimes read to each other or all together as a class. What your child might not know is that reading outside of school FOR FUN is also a critical component of academic development. Yes, scholars need to complete their homework assignments, but they also need to enjoy time reading books and other texts they choose for themselves.

As a literacy scholar, former classroom teacher and current Kent ISD Literacy Coach, I have spent my career studying reading (and writing and listening and speaking) and its impact on students. As a parent, I worked to instill a love of and appreciation for the magic and power that reading bring to my now grown-up children’s lives. As a child raised by two voracious readers, I experienced the impact that picture books, novels, plays, magazines, recipes, notes and letters had on our family life. All of these have something in common: intentional cultivation of a life of reading. I am who I am today because I am a reader.

Countless studies over decades of research have shown that reading fuels development by promoting better oral language skills, decoding practices, spelling, reading comprehension and even general knowledge. Additionally, when kids read for fun, the value they place on reading, their self-concept as readers, their overall reading motivation and the amount of time they actually spend reading all increase. As if that was not enough, reading for pleasure has also been shown to increase empathy and promote a more positive outlook toward others. And for reluctant readers, the importance of finding and engaging with texts they love is even more critical for success.

There is no better place than your public library to offer children a vast array of choices for their reading pleasure outside of school. Whether your household is a weekly visitor to local bookstores or reserves book purchases just for special occasions, giving your child library access opens up a world of fun and resources to support their reading lives. Your library staff is eager to help children find the books they love, share free and accessible materials, and help create positive learning experiences. Legendary Readers, KDL’s new K-5 school year reading initiative, helps put scholars on a path for a lifetime love of learning through ongoing reading, writing and engaging with the library. It’s a great way to support your young learners.