Read Across America is March 2
By Staff
Rep. Ronald Grantland, Guest Columnist
For many of us, one of the first books that we learned to read, or one of the first books we read to our children was a book written by Dr. Seuss. The books Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat are children’s classics, and they have helped children learn to read for more than 50 years.
Actually, Dr. Seuss’ books are even more important than you may think. His use of rhyme and interesting stories are a great tool for teaching children the basic skills they need to be successful. Plus, there is no denying that motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement. Research has shown that children who spend more time reading do better in school.
In response, the National Education Association started a program to get kids excited about reading, while celebrating the birthday of one of America’s most influential authors. The result was National Read Across America Day. The reasoning is simple. If we hold pep rallies to get kids excited about sports, why don’t we do something to get kids excited about reading?
Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading. In the decade since the initial launch, Read Across America has grown into the largest celebration of reading this country has ever seen.
The program also provides schools, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to encourage reading. Each year there is a different theme. This year, as RAA turns ten years old, the celebration focuses on the 50th anniversary of The Cat in the Hat.
On Friday, March 2, thousands of schools across the state will be participating in events, so do your part to get involved. Whether it is a school, library, community center, or church, anyone can host an event to promote children’s reading. Contact any of these groups, or visit the Alabama Education Association’s website at www.myaea.org for more details.
Even if you can’t take part in Read Across America Day, there are other ways to make sure that the children in your life acquire a love of reading. The best way is by spending a few minutes reading with the child.
It’s also important to set a good example as a reader yourself. Almost everyone is a role model to some child, and one of the biggest positive influences you can have on that child is by showing that adults read, too. Whether it is a book, magazine, or even the morning paper, let kids see you reading whenever possible.
Get a subscription to an age-appropriate magazine for your child. When relatives and others ask for gift ideas, suggest magazine subscriptions, books, or a gift certificate to a bookstore. Also, try to keep lots of reading materials around the house, and visit the library as often as possible.
Although Read Across America will be celebrated on March 2, it shouldn’t be a one-day event. By reading to our children as much as possible, we can help increase interest and ensure that reading is a priority throughout the year.
