Reading is often described as a gateway to new worlds, a bridge to understanding, and a sanctuary for the mind. Its benefits are myriad and go far beyond simple entertainment. 

Books provide a unique escape from reality. One can spend an entire afternoon climbing the Citadel with Rudi Matt, traveling through space and time with Meg Murray, or befriending a gorilla named Ivan. Books also have the ability to help develop empathy. By stepping into the shoes of diverse characters, readers can experience situations and perspectives that differ from their own. They can experience the ups and downs of moving from a Japanese community in Iowa to the deep south of Georgia,  learn how it feels to have a stutter, or see what it is like to adopt an orphaned gosling. Reading also provides us with a way to gain more information about history, science, or really any human knowledge. Through reading, we can learn about World War II,  extraordinary women who have contributed to society, and so much more. 

It is all the more concerning that recently a series of articles have come out discussing the concern among university professors about the decline of reading levels among their students. Professors across the board are finding that their students are unable to engage in the type of literature or academic reading that was once expected, even ten years ago. These articles point to social media usage, shortened attention spans, and high schools that do not ask their students to read entire books, as some of the reasons for the changes that are being seen. It is clearly a complex topic, and it is unlikely that there is one factor that is to blame, however, the topic has made me reflect on the importance of cultivating a reading culture and habit from a young age. 

Being an avid reader has long-term benefits. It is one of the avenues that allows humans to be life-long learners. Building the skills to concentrate, focus, and understand different types of books is critical to being able to access information in the world. We want our students to have the skills and knowledge to seek out information based on their interests and to always be curious about the world around them. In the long-term, reading also helps keep the brain engaged and active. As people age it helps stave off cognitive decline. Having built that strong foundation 

It is not just the act of reading which is important however, but what children are reading that is of equal importance. Choosing high quality books and content, however, is not always easy. 

What to look for when choosing books for your children

Finding the right book for your child, at any reading level, can be a challenge. This is particularly true if they are resistant to reading independently (once they have reached a certain fluency level). There can be a temptation to therefore allow them to read any children’s literature out there - in fact, this is often recommended by librarians and other educators. We at TRIS, however, feel that there are some important factors that one must consider when choosing what literature to expose your child to. Here are some factors that we think are important as you choose books for your child:

• Values and Messaging

One of the most important aspects of choosing literature for children is identifying what values and messaging are found in books. Think about what values and behaviors you would like to see your child embrace. If kindness and respect are important to you, be sure to find books in which respect and kindness are highlighted - not the opposite. Many children’s books depict “humorous” scenarios in which children are mean to each other, put each other down, or make jokes at the expense of others. While this may seem harmless, these messages impact your child and very often one will start to see a change in your child’s behavior. 

• Language and Vocabulary

It is important to trust that your child is able to understand and comprehend sophisticated language and vocabulary. Exposing them to sophisticated language from a young age is important. Believe that your children are capable of understanding challenging books. Read aloud with them frequently so that you can introduce them to words that on their own, they may not yet be able to understand. 

•   Style/Genre

Children learn an immense amount from the books they read. Time and time again we see that strong writers are often avid readers. They are able to pick up style, tone and nuances of language when they read a variety of books. This is why it is so important that children are exposed to a wide variety of genres. It is important that they learn how to read more formal writing, as well as enjoy more informal writing. Being exposed to a large variety of genres opens the doors to their learning and adds to their arsenal of knowledge that they can then access later in life. 

• Grammar

There has been a rise in books geared toward early to mid readers in which the

grammar is incorrect. Every time a child reads a book, they are building their knowledge about language. If they are being exposed to incorrect grammar, that is what they will learn and it will show up in their writing. Choose books that follow correct grammar and models desired writing. 

There are many other factors that may come into play when choosing a book for your child (this is whether they are reading it themselves or whether you are reading it with them) but the four criteria above are a good place to start. 

• https://slate.com/human-interest/2024/02/literacy-crisis-reading-comprehension-college.html
• https://www.teenvogue.com/story/college-students-not-reading
• https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/11/the-elite-college-students-who-cant-read-books/679945/

Renée Hites

Head of School

The Renaissance International School