I read on the BBC News this morning that reading for pleasure is more important to children's successes than education or social class. I'll share my childhood reading experiences and you can draw your own conclusions.
laptopclipart.com A new study suggests a child's genetic make-up has only a small role in determining how good they are at reading. Researchers looked at the relationship between children's reading scores and their social background using data from a study of 5,000 children. Children's different genetics tied to reading hardly affected the scores separating their social background.
My family consisted of two separate households—a mother, two sisters as well as me, plus a father and step mother. Back in the 1940's in Australia, we weren't well off. My mother rarely received maintenance and worked part-time to feed and clothe us. However, we made good use of the library. I would walk my two younger sisters there and back, avoiding a certain toy shop where a pedophile would lay in wait to snatch unwary children. I'd escaped once and wouldn't allow it to happen again.
My family consisted of two separate households—a mother, two sisters as well as me, plus a father and step mother. Back in the 1940's in Australia, we weren't well off. My mother rarely received maintenance and worked part-time to feed and clothe us. However, we made good use of the library. I would walk my two younger sisters there and back, avoiding a certain toy shop where a pedophile would lay in wait to snatch unwary children. I'd escaped once and wouldn't allow it to happen again.
Little Virginia and older sister Francene playing. The library was a social place, where children met and talked about the books they were reading. Every now and again, the library would run cartoons and short movies upstairs—the silly old cartoons about Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. I could hardly hear the words above the excited shouting.
This free entertainment must have established our love of books because all three of us are avid readers. Along with my sister Virginia, I write novels. So far, three of my co-written futuristic fantasies have been published by Double Dragon. Solstice Publishing will release the second of my paranormal novels in June. What has made us writers? Virginia says it's because she read so many books she got bored and wanted new material. I guess my reason is similar. I love to create new circumstances and characters.
Our genetic make-up could be classed as scholarly. Although poor in material wealth, my parents were well spoken, intelligent and of good standing. They both did well in later life and lacked for nothing. I inherited my teacher grandmother's science fiction books in my mid-thirties and used them as a diversion from the reality of a difficult marriage. My husband must have been in the early stages of bipolar condition then. I guess all novel reading is a form of escapism. Other manuals teach and early learner books are a great way for children to grasp the concept of the written word linked to imagination.
Since the 1940's, circumstances have changed. Children have access to the internet and mobile phones. Many don't get books from the library. I hope they read for pleasure. It's been proven that reading is more important than education or social class.
This free entertainment must have established our love of books because all three of us are avid readers. Along with my sister Virginia, I write novels. So far, three of my co-written futuristic fantasies have been published by Double Dragon. Solstice Publishing will release the second of my paranormal novels in June. What has made us writers? Virginia says it's because she read so many books she got bored and wanted new material. I guess my reason is similar. I love to create new circumstances and characters.
Our genetic make-up could be classed as scholarly. Although poor in material wealth, my parents were well spoken, intelligent and of good standing. They both did well in later life and lacked for nothing. I inherited my teacher grandmother's science fiction books in my mid-thirties and used them as a diversion from the reality of a difficult marriage. My husband must have been in the early stages of bipolar condition then. I guess all novel reading is a form of escapism. Other manuals teach and early learner books are a great way for children to grasp the concept of the written word linked to imagination.
Since the 1940's, circumstances have changed. Children have access to the internet and mobile phones. Many don't get books from the library. I hope they read for pleasure. It's been proven that reading is more important than education or social class.
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