Dr. J. Michael Flynn August 2017
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Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body ~ Joseph Addison (1672-1719)
Regular exercise is important to health and happiness. The same can be said for regular reading. Scientists have shown us that the habit of reading at least 20 minutes a day can have an amazing positive effect on our lives.
The National Assessment of Adult Literacy defines literacy as "using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one's goals, and to develop one's knowledge and potential." Scientists have found that children who can read well by the age of seven are more intelligent in later years. People with good literacy skills are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better health and can take advantage of the opportunities that life offers them.
Research has revealed some interesting and disappointing statistics on illiteracy in the United States. Studies by the One World Literacy Foundation have suggested that two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare. They predict that if a child is not reading proficiently by the 4th grade, he or she will have only a 22% chance of catching up. An estimated 77% of children who are read to are more likely to read on their own.
Among developed nations, the United States ranks 16th for adult reading skills. Approximately 32 million adults in America are considered illiterate. Illiteracy and crime are closely related. The Department of Justice states, "The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence and crime has close ties to reading failure." It is reported that approximately 85% of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate. More than 60% of inmates in America's prisons are functionally illiterate. Penal institution records show that inmates have a 16% chance of returning to prison if they receive literacy help, as opposed to 70% who receive no help.
It is true that reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Among the positive effects of reading: mental stimulation, stress reduction, knowledge, vocabulary expansion, memory improvement, better focus and concentration. Reading makes the brain think and enriches imagination.
With the beginning of another school year, reading will be encouraged by teachers – for good reason. Parents and grandparents can play a role also by setting an example of reading and inspiring the younger generations to read to improve their lives. The resources of Public Libraries are without a cost, very valuable to everyone and a real treasure in a community. Literacy changes lives for the better!