It wasn’t so long ago that our little ones had to contend with school reading materials that hardly matched their appetite for wonderment and imagination. While life outside of the classroom may have been enriched by the popular illustrators of the era, such as Walt Disney, primary school texts had no such imaginative appeal.
But all of that changed once Theodor Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, published “The Cat in the Hat” in 1957.
The book was a direct attempt to make reading more entertaining, and by extension boost literacy levels, which many of the time felt in need of improvement. To date, no one is more credited than making reading more fun for young children than that mischievous bowtie-wearing Cat, nor does anyone in our estimation deserve more credit.
Yet there are plenty of educators, community leaders and parents across America that deserve just as much kudos for their efforts for keeping Dr. Seuss’ books and literacy in the spotlight since the book’s publication.
Some of their efforts were on display this week during the Valley’s various Read Across America events. The events, which typically take place on or around March 2, the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss, are also meant to promote literacy and remind everyone young and old that reading can be fun and entertaining.
But as instrumental as Dr. Seuss and the classroom is in promoting literacy, there is another group of people that can make just as much, if not more, of a lasting impression: parents.
It has been well documented that reading to a young child is beneficial to their social and mental development. The rewards of such an activity also extend far beyond the household, whenever such a child develops a love for reading. The activity also helps establish quality time between parent and child that often is hard to produce in latter stages of a child’s life.
We think many would agree with us when we say that the need to bolster literacy in the Valley is a group effort. After all, what also has been well documented is the connection between success and literacy.
THE ISSUE: Read Across America
WE SAY: Read Across America events good for literacy.
WHAT DO YOU SAY? Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
But all of that changed once Theodor Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, published “The Cat in the Hat” in 1957.
The book was a direct attempt to make reading more entertaining, and by extension boost literacy levels, which many of the time felt in need of improvement. To date, no one is more credited than making reading more fun for young children than that mischievous bowtie-wearing Cat, nor does anyone in our estimation deserve more credit.
Yet there are plenty of educators, community leaders and parents across America that deserve just as much kudos for their efforts for keeping Dr. Seuss’ books and literacy in the spotlight since the book’s publication.
Some of their efforts were on display this week during the Valley’s various Read Across America events. The events, which typically take place on or around March 2, the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss, are also meant to promote literacy and remind everyone young and old that reading can be fun and entertaining.
But as instrumental as Dr. Seuss and the classroom is in promoting literacy, there is another group of people that can make just as much, if not more, of a lasting impression: parents.
It has been well documented that reading to a young child is beneficial to their social and mental development. The rewards of such an activity also extend far beyond the household, whenever such a child develops a love for reading. The activity also helps establish quality time between parent and child that often is hard to produce in latter stages of a child’s life.
We think many would agree with us when we say that the need to bolster literacy in the Valley is a group effort. After all, what also has been well documented is the connection between success and literacy.
THE ISSUE: Read Across America
WE SAY: Read Across America events good for literacy.
WHAT DO YOU SAY? Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
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