Wednesday, September 8, 2010

International Literacy Day

Today I had the privilege to attend the International Literacy Day Symposium at the United Nations. It was a day of inspiration for me. I was struck by how many people are illiterate. UNESCO estimates that worldwide there are nearly 800 million adults who cannot read. The implications for raising children; for health of infants, children, and families; and for economic and general well-being are staggering. I was also amazed at the partnerships--UNESCO, industry, philanthropists, governments, and non-governmental organizations--that are devoted to efforts to eradicate illiteracy around the globe. And then I thought about the people like you--parents, caretakers, home schoolers, preschool teachers, tutors--who one child at a time are helping create readers. Thank you.
Posted by madforreading at Wednesday, September 08, 2010

1 comment:

  1. PJSeptember 22, 2010 at 7:36 PM

    I used to volunteer teaching literacy and esl to adults. It was a very successful venture. I did 2 classes of literacy and 3 classes of ESL per day. I ended up giving it up because the "VISTA program" ran out and the sponsor didn't want to renew. I then became a VISTA thinking I could do it somewhere else, but the VISTA PROGRAM that I entered into "which originally told me that we could implement a literacy program, weasled their way out of it (the sponsor and the Vista supervisor, not the program). I was really discouraged. This was back in 2003-4. I have been trying to get it going again but have nowhere to teach (my church in in the process of getting some different programs going, and this is supposed to be one of them, but no action as of yet. Anyway, I'm bound and determined not to lose hope.
    God Bless!
    PJ

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What I think . . .

There are all kinds of readers. Some—like my daughter and me—are never without a book to read for pleasure. Others—like my son—are careful, analytical, and curious readers who read primarily to seek information from the page.


No matter what kind of reader your child becomes, you can help him or her get started. After all, you are your child’s first teacher. And, best of all, you can have some fun in the process.


Please feel free to share your own ideas. Tell me about ways you've enjoyed reading with your child.


Madeline Boskey, Ph.D.