By the end of third grade, if a child isn’t reading on a third-grade level, their reading skills are unlikely to ever catch up to their grade level. Of course, never say never, but . . .
Last month as everyone prepared for a new—if uncertain, thanks to Covid—school year, I saw several reading-related statistics, both good and bad. Two jumped out at me.
Bad: 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read. Really? How is that possible?
Good: Reading for 6 minutes a day reduces stress by 68%. Great news, since today stress affects us all, children and adults.
Want my two cents?
Reading is essential, and not just because you use it in every aspect of life. It’s essential for your overall wellbeing. So, grab a book and relax. And if you can read to a child, do it. Encourage them to read, too. Make a positive difference in both your lives.