rEADING IN EARLY AGE

How many more books are read by children at an early age in relation to the ones that learn later? Maybe not significantly more, but if they do start earlier, they are getting a better foundation for strong intellectual development. Unfortunately, there are fewer younger people who spend their free time reading an interesting book. TV, radio and video games keep children from reading. Children in families with incomes below the poverty line are less likely to be read to aloud everyday than are children in families with incomes at or above poverty. Only 53 percent of children age’s three to five are read to daily by a family member. This lack of attention is hurting our next generation.
A poll of middle and high school students commissioned by the National Education Association found that 56 percent say they read more than 10 books a year. 70 percent of middle school students read more than 10 books a year, compared with only 49 percent of high school students. The National Assessme...