Read to succeed
about
Interest in books for younger kids is declining, because priorities are focused elsewhere. Less than half of kids throughout elementary school read and write for fun, so my hope is to encourage kids to read at a younger age given the importance and numerous benefits of reading.
For example, starting in 1984, a survey has been conducted asking young students if they read for fun. Each year, the percent goes down more and more. "The share of 9-year-olds who said they never or hardly ever read for fun on their own time was at its highest point since the question was first fielded: 16% said this in 2020, compared with 11% in 2012 and 9% in 1984."1 This indicates that children are losing their interest in reading. The research also found that "[s]tudents who performed better on the reading section of standardized tests in 2020 reported reading for fun more frequently."1​
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This website (readandwriteforfun.com) aims to share resources to help inspire kids to read for fun.
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1. Schaeffer, Katherine. “Among Many U.S. Children, Reading for Fun Has Become Less Common, Federal Data Shows.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 12 Nov. 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/11/12/among-many-u-s-children-reading-for-fun-has-become-less-common-federal-data-shows/. Accessed July 2, 2023.
book
Here is a book for kids to discover the magic of reading. The book, which is titled Kenny the Koala’s Rainy Day, views the experience of a child learning the joys of reading and is designed to inspire a love of reading in children of all ages.
About the Book: Kenny the Koala's Rainy Day
When Kenny the Koala encounters a rainy day, he must figure out how to fill it with something new. Through his journey, he discovers a new kind of magic and learns that whenever he wants a new adventure, he does not have far to look.
Through this engaging story, children will explore the joys of reading with Kenny the Koala.
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Where to learn more about the book and get a copy:
story Outline
The story outline provides a fun and engaging opportunity for kids to create their own story, spark their imagination and explore their creativity. The downloadable outline includes a place to describe characters, scenery, the story, and the ending, along with illustrations. The hope for this is to encourage a new look at reading and writing and to help kids understand that it can be fun!
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