What in the Dr. Suess is happening?!

The cost of reading less is steep

My trouble with math started in the second grade. Language arts would end, and math would begin and I found it so bleh. In my 7 year old mind, numbers and equations were nothing to the world of written words.

So, I ignored my math lessons entirely. I was discreet (or so I thought), holding a book on my lap, hidden by the desk, my eyes darting to the page when the teacher’s back was turned. I gobbled up page after page of my secret books until the fateful day when my incredibly sweet teacher caught me. I was busted!

She held me back from recess and explained that though she was proud of me for being a great reader, math was just as important and I’d need to learn it. I silently disagreed, but left my book inside my desk during math just the same.

Reading was a top hobby throughout my childhood and adolescence. That’s why it was surprising to see that only 34.6% of eight - eighteen year olds report enjoying reading in their free time (UK’s National Literacy Trust, 2024).

In this digital age, screen time consumes much of children’s time (5-7 hours daily, on average), leaving reading by the wayside. And while screens can have their merits, there is much to forfeit if reading for pleasure does not become a lifestyle.

The academic benefits are very convincing: children who read for pleasure outpace their none-reading peers in vocabulary, spelling, and even mathematics scores (anecdotally, results may vary on that one). Additionally, attention spans, comprehension skills, critical thinking and problem solving abilities all improve with regular reading time.

Perhaps more importantly, reading plays a crucial role in a child’s emotional and social development. Stories provide children with a safe way to explore emotions, learn about empathy, and understand diverse perspectives. Studies show that little bookworms are more likely to demonstrate compassion and emotional intelligence. It seems that exposure to different characters, cultures and moral dilemmas contribute to producing fantastic little humans (BookTrust, 2024).

And, of course, shared reading creates lasting connections and strengthens parent-child bonds. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children who were read to daily had lower levels of stress and anxiety, demonstrating how reading can be a tool for emotional regulation (BFIS, 2024).

Reading is an essential part of childhood. With so much at stake, making reading a part of your child and family’s routine should be a top priority. By providing the structure and opportunity to make reading for pleasure a part of childhood, we can help shape a generation that values wisdom, kindness, and meaningful connections.

As a mother, I certainly hope to guide my children toward these commendable outcomes through reading, though I hope they will all surpass me in math.  If your home is filled with reading, wonderful! Keep going! And if it’s not, please don’t feel discouraged. There are easy, attainable ways to make meaningful and simple improvements with reading. Stay tuned, we’ll guide you through them all.

And if you need some fresh reading materials, take a look at our catalogue. Great books can make a big difference!

Happy reading!

Miriam Monette

Co-founder, White Lake Press