Book the Time

I'd love to begin a movement that would culminate in the spring called the Book the Time Campaign: getting as many people as we can to read aloud to a child or many children. Then we could have one day, in March or April, that is the culmination of those efforts, with lots of celebration for the importance of reading aloud in a child's life. Would anyone be interested in joining in and figuring out how to make this happen? I love the idea of it being worldwide!!! I could ask my wonderful teaching friends in Kenya and Liberia to join in....would love your input.

Tags: aloud, education, family, literacy, reading

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Comment by John Howell on November 30, 2008 at 11:14am: Sounds like a great idea ~

This reminded me of the research study Becoming a Nation of Readers (1985) where the study found "conclusive evidence" supporting read aloud in the home and in the classroom, and it claimed that adults need to read aloud to children not just when children can't yet read on their own, but throughout all grades.

"The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventaul success in reading is reading aloud to children."

Good for you ~ I hope you get a great deal of interest in this worthy idea.

Comment by Jonathan Thurston on December 1, 2008 at 1:11pm: Great Comment Mr. Howell,

Here is a link to Becoming a Nation of Readers (1985),
Very interesting study
http://my.execpc.com/~presswis/nation.html

Here are a few informative quotes from the "Emerging Literacy....the first steps in learning to read." section,

"Parents play roles of inestimable importance in laying the foundation for learning to read. Parents should informally teach preschool children about reading and writing by reading aloud to them, discussing stories and events, encouraging them to learn letters and words and teaching them about the world around them. These practices help prepare children for success in reading.

Parents have an obligation to support their children's continued growth as readers. In addition to laying a foundation, parents need to facilitate the growth of their children's reading by taking them to libraries, encouraging reading as a free time activity, and supporting homework."

Comment by Steve Hargadon on December 2, 2008 at 12:45pm: Pam: I really enjoyed talking with you, and have a personal passion on this issue as well. You posted this as a blog--a forum post would probably get more attention. I also think you should start a social network around reading aloud... :)