The Importance Of Reading

By Glenn and Diane Davis

The importance of reading is usually accepted by those who can read. It is interesting to see that our site's most visited page is the "Why Is Reading Important?" page. Two of the three most popular keywords used to find our site are: "why is reading important" and "why reading is important". Many people seem to be wondering how vital reading is in our modern society.

Let's briefly look at the importance of reading across the four stages of life.

The Importance Of Reading
Stage One

The first stage is birth through grade one. Studies show that a child develops 80% of the attitudes, values, fears, and loyalties that he/she will carry through life during this time. It is a tremendously important time in a person's life. Also, it is the time of the greatest learning curve. A child is learning primary relationships, eating, balance [walking], language, and a hundred other foundational activities. There is no reason why, when a person's mind is so open to learning, they should not be taught to read. Public schools, and many private schools, try to teach children to read by the end of grade 3. Most children between the ages of 4 and 7 can learn to read very well.  Ideally, they should enter school already reading. [Note: If the school is not prepared to handle children who can already read, then other problems may develop; however, I do not believe holding a child back and limiting their potential is the correct answer. We cannot downplay the importance of reading early just because others do not focus on it.]

The Importance Of Reading
Stage Two

The second stage is the mastery of academic subjects taught in grades 2 through 6. In most schools, attention is switched from reading to other subjects at the end of grade 3. Any student struggling with reading at this point is a candidate for being left behind, pushed forward without ever mastering the necessary skills, or placed in a special education class.  Not being taught to read may be their only real problem.  In most cases, failure to read is not their fault but the fault of the method used to teach them.  In any case, during this stage of learning, students need to master reading, grammar, and concrete math and build on their foundational knowledge.

The Importance Of Reading
Stage Three

The third stage is from grades 7 through 12. Now, students are introduced to more abstract concepts in their studies.  Again, if they have not mastered reading and concrete math facts by now, they will likely struggle in all subjects.

The Importance Of Reading
Stage Four

The fourth stage is when they complete school. Students can then apply all they have learned to further education or life management skills. A lack of reading skills here can hinder employment, hinder the acquisition of new knowledge, hinder relationships, and undermine the pure pleasure of reading.

Conclusion

Reading is essential, and no one is too old to learn. Even if you are in the fourth stage, you can learn to read. If you have children older than 4 years of age, teach them to read. Certainly, if your children are in school and struggling with reading, get them help. The ability to read is the foundation on which all other subjects are based. After grade 3, they will become increasingly academically lost if they can't read. The importance of reading must be a focal point in education.

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