International Read To Me Day

“Reading and exposure to words helps kids maximize their language and cognitive capacity. Even the tactile experience of holding or touching a book supports babies’ cognitive development.”- Laura Phillips, PsyD. The literacy crisis currently facing the nation has taken longer than expected for a lasting resolution. Perhaps the approach to improving literacy skills is the missing part of the equation given that so many approaches and strategies have been tried over the years. What has remained constant is that more and more of our students are not reading at their grade levels. Equally important is the fact that a significant number of our students do not see a future in education. Many students have disengaged themselves from the rigors of education, this is especially so given that there are so many attractive alternative pathways to success and respect. Our boys in particular given their propensity as tactile learners have switched off their learning mode a long time ago. However, as a society we continue to play the school where instructional and motivational leadership are lacking at all levels. What is urgently needed is a literacy paradigm shift to incorporate differentiated literacy strategies in order to address the learning needs of both sexes. Such a method regarding literacy needs to be more broad- based bottom- up approach. Oftentimes, the foot soldiers are not consulted meaningfully or at all in the various top-down literacy interventions. The powers that be continue to do a disservice to the nation’s children if they do not change course. We all should see ourselves as literacy advocates. It is only by taking this bold approach that we will make the inroads regarding improving literary skills and learning outcomes for the nation’s children. This new approach to literacy will envision all of us creating opportunities for reading. Of course, any approach to literacy intervention must take into account the higher than desired adult literacy rate. As a result a two-pronged approach to literacy is needed. The impetus that comes along with International Read to Me Day observed annually on March 19 provides the perfect opportunity for everyone concerned to revisit how best to give support to those students who are struggling with literacy. International Read to Me Day is a global campaign focused on promoting literacy and encouraging parents, teachers, and other community members to read aloud to children. Among the aims of International Read to Me Day are: changing the dynamics and empowering children to ask for more support, not just from their birth family but also from their communities, promoting, encouraging and inspiring reading activities within communities. Thirdly, supporting the invaluable work of all stakeholder organizations to increase the literacy rates of children in their countries and finally showcasing organizations that are passionate about improving the literacy standards of the children. Early Literacy Stimulation. Early learning opportunities are very critical for children to develop holistically. Research indicates that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age 5, setting the foundation for health, learning and social development. It is crucial to help build neural connections during this time of rapid development and reading is an excellent way to do that. This point is particularly important given that the genesis of the nation’s literacy issues is rooted at the early childhood level where more scaffolding is urgently needed in order to adequately prepare such students for entry into the primary level. Against the background that reading provides the building blocks for language it is essential that literacy intervention targets the early childhood level by ensuring that no student is left behind. A child’s first three years of life are the most important for acquiring speech and language skills. The more children are exposed to the sounds and words of their native language, the easier it will be to learn. Additionally, caregivers who read one picture book with their child daily expose them to about 78,000 words per year. Reading also helps with behavioral and social-emotional development. Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become increasingly vital in modern education. Research has shown emotional well-being and literacy are deeply intertwined. Students who feel safe, supported, and emotionally connected to their reading content are more likely to engage with texts deeply, retain information, and build critical thinking skills. This connection allows educators to cultivate both academic success and emotional resilience in their students. High Cost of Illiteracy. According to the World Literacy Foundation, illiteracy costs the global economy $1.5 trillion annually. The Jamaica Education Transformation Commission (JETC) report by Professor Orlando Patterson indicated troubling levels of inadequacy in literacy. The JETC report stated that most students at the primary level were barely literate. According to the JETC, the 2019 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination revealed that 33% of students cannot read or can barely do so, 56 % of students cannot write or barely and 58% of students cannot find information on a topic or barely. This is very disturbing and brings into sharp focus Holy Trinity High School where nearly 200 students enrolled at the institution to begin their secondary education; fewer than one in 10 students were unable to read at their grade levels. Alarmingly, 96 per cent of them read up to three or four tiers below what is expected of students at grade seven. This spells crisis in any language. Holy Trinity High School, regrettably, is not unique. The reading crisis is replicated in schools in poor inner-city and rural areas across Jamaica. Holy Trinity High School’s initiative to ensure that every student who enters the institution leaves fully literate should be supported. Post COVID 19. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about considerable disruption to schooling and learning and is likely to have a lasting and unequal impact on global learning levels. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic there must be a redoubling of efforts to close the literacy gap. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) nearly 24 million learners might never return to formal education, out of which, 11 million are projected to be girls and young women. In order to ensure no one is left behind, we need to enrich and transform the existing learning spaces through an integrated approach and enable literacy learning in the perspective of lifelong learning. What is the current state of our libraries? Are students still signing up for membership? To what extent have we invested in building and resourcing libraries? Without a doubt our libraries are underutilized and under resourced and this is problematic. Creating Engaging Literacy Spaces. Reading should be viewed as a fun activity and not a form of punishment. We need to interrogate the popular view that reading is oftentimes viewed as feminine. Sadly, too many students become anxious and afraid to read. Some students are also publicly shamed in the classroom space and this is another issue that needs to be addressed. Some students might require diagnostic assessment in order to rule out learning challenges. Educators also should look beyond the four walls of the classroom in the approach to literacy. The focus should be on creating a supportive literacy environment and engaging families and the community in literacy initiatives. The entire nation should be on board regarding the literacy campaign. Why not organize family literacy nights where parents can learn about effective reading strategies and engage in literacy activities with their children. This is necessary as we recognize and celebrate the contributions of families to their children’s literacy development. Another practical solution is to offer workshops to educate parents on literacy development and ways to support their children’s reading at home. Literacy-rich home environment should be normalized as a more holistic approach to literacy is pursued. More wholesome partnerships need to be developed between the church, local libraries and community organizations to enhance literacy resources and opportunities. The National Housing Trust could also be incorporated and having literacy competitions for the numerous housing schemes. Sabbath and Sunday schools could also organize literacy competitions in order to motivate students to read more. There are so many untapped resources which should be utilized to tackle illiteracy. On this International Read to Me Day let us commit to read to our youngsters whether in the formal setting of schools or in our homes. It is apparent that more reading opportunities are required throughout the education system to inspire hope among our students. It is also clear that more investments, especially at the government level, are and will be needed in the short to medium term in order to train, retrain educators in literacy instruction and development. The road to literacy is not a sprint but a marathon that requires proper planning and execution. Let us redouble our collective efforts to foster a culture of reading and literacy engagement. In the words of President Bill Clinton, literacy is not a luxury; it is a right and a responsibility. If our world is to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century we must harness the energy and creativity of all our citizens. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalReadtoMeDay