In March, 2007 I put up a new page:
http://www.tvsmarter.com/documents/reading.html
which is also the new homepage of www.tvsmarter.com
The inspiration for this page is the book The Power of Reading, Second Edition: Insights from the Research (2004) by Stephen Krashen.
I just finished reading this book in January, and it absolutely blew me away. I had no idea reading for pleasure was so beneficial.
We know that learning to speak is instinctual for children, that as long as the adults around them talk to them, that language will come naturally.
Reading, on the other hand, is not quite so natural. Children need to be taught the mechanics of sounding out words, and helped along as they learn the basics. But, according to Dr. Krashen’s book, once these basics are mastered, becoming a good reader is also instinctual and natural as long as certain conditions are met.
These conditions are:
– books (or other print material) are plentiful and skill-appropriate (not too hard and not too easy)
– books and reading are loved and held in high regard
Unfortunately, over the years, watching TV and playing video games have replaced reading for pleasure as a prime pass-time in the United States. The result is that while more and more people are learning to read (99% literacy rate), fewer and fewer are learning to read well.
So, check out Reading vs TV and let me know what you think.
My announcement also at the White Dot Forum:
