We know how important reading to children is, but can it also impact the problems of obesity and child abuse? Two recent articles caught my attention, not because they claim reading to children can cure these issues, but the fact that they are even mentioned together suggests that maybe reading can have some influence.
In the first article, April Aims To Prevent Child Abuse, the Stillwater Public Library in Oklahoma is part of the state health department's child abuse prevention campaign. Library Director Lynda Reynolds said, "Children who come and are read to or are learning to read develop a close relationship with their parents." In her opinion,"Reading to children...makes a big impact. It's quality time and calms the child down." Sherie Trice, who works at the Oklahoma State Department of Health Family Support and Prevention Office, said libraries make a big difference in child abuse prevention. “Libraries help by connecting people with area agencies that can assist families and by providing information and activities that can improve communication between child and caregiver,” Trice said.
In the second article, Obesity Isn't The Only Problem With Today's Youth Entertainment, Cindi Brown, a daycare owner says, "Children who read at an early age seem more content with a good book and do not rely on TV and video games for entertainment as much as non-readers." Author Evelyn Petersen notes that, "Many first grade teachers are noticing that children who stare at the TV screen for hours each day are often damaging the muscles in their eyes so they cannot "track" their eyes left to right to read.
We know that children who consistently watch more than 4 hours a day of TV are more likely to be overweight, but does too much TV impact children's ability to read? How do first grade teachers know how much TV their students are watching? Both articles raise some interesting ideas about the influence reading can have but clearly these links need more study. What do you think?
