I can’t stop thinking about literary.
Specifically, how grateful I am for the resources that have always been available to me, allowing me the opportunity to read and write and express myself with the written word.
I know that right now there are a ton of events going on in my life that lend themselves to thoughts on literacy like:
- The start of the new scholastic year for my children, which of course means parent-led homework for the 3 youngest.
- Research into graduate schools.
- Working with Nestle on their Family Happy New School Year Campaign to promote Literacy.
- Working with OfficeMax on their A Day Made Better Campaign to help end teacher funded classrooms.
However, I don’t think there is EVER a time in my life that I don’t consciously think about how privileged I am, especially when I read illiteracy stats or take the time to work with non-profit organizations like RIF who get books to those who otherwise wouldn’t have them. According to the RIF website, nearly TWO THIRDS of low-income families own no books.
NO BOOKS.
RIF provides 15 million books each year to children who need them most, and you and I can help.
Ways to help:
- Gather up books from your own home (ask your friends, too!) that are no longer being used and donate them to a RIF location or another facility that is in need.
- Consider volunteering your time at an organization that helps promote literacy.
It’s easy to promote literacy in our own homes as well. We all know that reading to our children is essential, but do we actually do it consistently? Are books available to our children? I can’t say enough about public libraries. I hope that one day my children will love the library as much as I always have, and will appreciate that the books we have all over our home really are a luxury, something we should be thankful for.
I’m convinced that if we all did just a little something each week to help in the fight for global literacy it would make a big difference.
So. I’m committed.
Here’s to a lifetime of helping to promote literacy.
About Angie
It is horrifying how in a developed country like this such statistics are true. I read a wonderful article a while ago which said that over a third of all children starting school in the US lack basic pre-reading skills, those skills necessary to begin to learn. They lack them because no one ever sits them on their knee to read books to them, so that they learn that reading is done from page to page, from left to right etc. If this lack of skills is addressed these children can catch up, but if they are not given sufficient attention and encouragement and lag behind still by 3rd grade chances are they will never catch up with their peers. So just like that at age 9 a child is left behind.
I think it is wonderful that you bring attention to this here and RIF is one of the great causes helping to address this issue.
Those stats about literacy are staggering. I volunteer with a non-profit called Bring Me a Book. We go into CA state funded preschools and teach the parents the importance of reading and how to read to their kids. We also give them books- it is fabulous!
That stat is shocking AND sad. We are big fans of the library and I read three books to the big guy at night (little guy has started joining us even though he just tries to eat the books at this point).
Thanks for letting us know about RIF! It’s amazing the impact a few books could make.
Aweseome post, Angie! I can always feel your love of reading when I read your literacy-related posts. Staggering statistics, but awesome to see what great organizations there are out there and what they are doing to combat the challenges!
xoxo
You know what bugs me though. These people may not have books in their house, but you know that every one of them has the biggest TV their money can buy and a bunch of video games. Every low-income home I’ve been to has that same issue. It’s not just about giving them books, it is about teaching them the VALUE of books. I can’t imagine a life without books, but some people just prefer TV because it’s so much “easier”. Takes all kinds, I guess.