Alyssa Ridenour
reporter@greenepublishing.com
Students at Pinetta Elementary School tapped into their creative energy on Friday, March 5, putting together a character from their favorite book in celebration of National Read Across America Week. This was an opportunity for the children to have fun while being encouraged to read and a way of bringing their favorite characters to life.
The holiday was established by the National Education Association in 1998 and is observed in conjunction with Dr. Seuss' birthday each year. The goal is to get children excited about reading and bring together youth from all around the country in a week of reading and celebration.
Reading has several benefits, especially for children. It reduces stress by up to 68 percent. Children with their own books at home achieve higher grades in school and read an average of three grade levels above other kids their age. Children who read, learn between 4,000 and 12,000 new words per year. Learning new vocabulary is critical in the developmental process, because it improves speech and social interaction skills. It also aids in the development of the brain. Statistically, children who read also love to learn. When parents read with their child, it improves the parent-child bond. Reading also promotes self confidence, creativity and independence.
These are just a few of the numerous benefits of children reading. These benefits are why National Read Across America Week is so important. For every child that finds a love for books, the future gets just a bit brighter. As Dr. Seuss wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”