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Tuesdays Treasures…Delight in Reading

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Home Stager

Tuesdays Treasures…Delight in Reading

 

With the holidays around the corner, you may be making your gift list. If there are children on the list, what about making part of your gift that of a book or set of books! 

 

Today is National Young Readers Day. The ability to read and the delight in reading are important to our children’s growth and success in the world they will meet. 

 

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Did you know that roughly 54% of adults read below the sixth grade level? 

21% of adults are considered illiterate.

 

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When I did psychological testing, some of the testees were recently released from prison. Many could not read at the 3rd Grade level so the test was administered to them via a tape recording. Consequently, the test took 2 ½ times as long to take.  I'm not saying there is a correlation but the ability to read and comprehend what we just read impacts our journey through life...to get a job...navigate daily trials...and our health.

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Why the 3rd Grade Level? Years ago Delray Beach joined a call-to-action for third grade reading level proficiency. The feeling was that by the end of the third grade, children should transition from learning to read to reading to learn. 

 

If you’re looking for a gift this Christmas or holiday season for a young person, consider a book. Even better include a trip to the bookstore or library! 

 


It's good to know how to read, but it's dangerous to know how to read and not how to interpret what you're reading.
Mike Tyson

 

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
Ray Bradbury



Posted by

Kathy Streib
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and Interior Redesign

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Comments(18)

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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kathy... reading is one of my most favorite things to do.  I read at every opportunity. It appalls me how many Americans don't read well, have little comprehension, and say they hate to read.

Nov 12, 2024 04:38 AM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker this has stayed with me since I did testing. I was about 24 and it woke me up to the fact that many people could not read at the 3rd grade level. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:24 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib that fact breaks my heart and appalls me. I get so much pleasure from reading I can't imagine not being able to do so. 

Nov 13, 2024 04:20 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Books are what I used to give my nephews for all of their presents, haha.  I began doing that after one Christmas when I saw that my nephew's Mom was trying to sell the gift that I gave him, haha.

Nov 12, 2024 05:13 AM
Kathy Streib

Brian England well that wasn't very nice, was it. I have a friend who besides giving young children a toy or what is on their wish list, she gives them a book. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:25 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - reading is fundamental.  For learning and so much more.  

Nov 12, 2024 05:23 AM
Kathy Streib

Michael Jacobs I'm always concerned about the number of videos that people relay on because they'd rather not read. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:31 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. Graduating from learning to read to reading to learn should be the focus of primary education. That said my grandson attends school in Chicago and that does not seem to be the focus. Enjoy your day.

Nov 12, 2024 05:38 AM
Kathy Streib

Wayne Martin That's sad.  I wish our schools would teach at the very least, reading and math, and how to think. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:32 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kathy, Oh my, reading is essential, not only for gaining knowledge but for so much more!

Nov 12, 2024 05:44 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 it was easy to see the correlation between serving time in prison and literacy. If you can't read, your job possibilities are limited. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:35 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

My son loved to read as a young child. Not only did he read, but I had to read with him every night. Makes all the difference in the world.

Nov 12, 2024 06:45 AM
Kathy Streib

it does Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty I remember a good friend who has 3 children. She went around to each child and read to and with them. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:36 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share. I wish I had read more books when I was young.

Nov 12, 2024 06:53 AM
Kathy Streib

Roy Kelley When my nieces were young, I encouraged them to read...always be reading something. And look how many books you and Chef Dolores read now!!!

Nov 12, 2024 06:37 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you, Kathy Streib! Your insights on the importance of reading for children are truly enlightening, and I appreciate you highlighting this vital topic as we approach the holiday season.

Nov 12, 2024 07:11 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Lew Corcoran wouldn't it be nice if everyone bought at least one book for every child they knew. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:39 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Kathy,
That is an interesting distinction for when kids transition from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Reading is the most basic skill for our journey through life. I am surprised at the percentage of people who are considered illiterate. Life must be very difficult for them.

Nov 12, 2024 07:46 AM
Aura Alex

Carol Williams and Kathy Streib 

Now, I'm diving into a whole new literary journey—reading at my grandkid's level, and let me tell you, it's an acquired skill! This involves expertly imitating animal sounds that would put any farm to shame and crafting words that even the dictionary can't locate.

As a bonus, I'm becoming the connoisseur of whimsical stories about dragons trying yoga and superheroes with unmatched broccoli-eating powers. Who knew this adventure would be so wildly entertaining?😁

Nov 12, 2024 10:22 AM
Kathy Streib

Carol Williams and Aura Alex one of my fondest memories is sitting on a dock with my friend's daughter and reading. We were both reading the Harry Potter books. Her older sister and Larry were kayaking. 

And yes, I loved reading to our grandsons and adding my "voice" to the characters. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:42 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy, it is sad that some people have a hard time reading, I remember my dad really had a hard time reading back in the day.

 

Nov 12, 2024 10:06 AM
Kathy Streib

Will Hamm we are lucky that with all of the education and research we have, there is no reason for anyone not to acquire reading skills. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:43 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi Kathy,

It's sadden to note that over half of individuals read below the sixth-grade level. It is said that for optimal impact, we should aim for readability at the six to seven grade level in our writing.

Even literary masterpieces like "The Old Man and the Sea" by Hemingway were crafted at this accessible grade level. Many acclaimed authors also choose to pen their bestsellers with the same simplicity and clarity in mind.

Nov 12, 2024 10:13 AM
Aura Alex

Kathy Streib 

Through the captivating movie Prince of Tides, I was introduced to Pat Conroy's beautiful storytelling and immersed myself in all of his books. Similarly, my journey with John Irving began with the poignant film The Cider House Rules, drawing me in with his comparable writing style.

The power of cinema led me to discover two literary masters whose words touched my soul.

Receiving praise comparing my writing to Pat Conroy's is truly humbling. He is undeniably one of the greatest American Authors in history. Thank you!

Nov 12, 2024 07:13 PM
Kathy Streib

Aura Alex it's not the reading in and of itself but the desire to read, isn't it?   When you get in the habit of reading, you want more. I encouraged my nieces to read, even if only the daily paper or magazine article. You create a desire to know more...to be 'whisked away" to another time or place. 

I read your posts because they are like music to my ears (Pat Conroy wrote like that)

Nov 12, 2024 06:48 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, great post, and reading is so important in our lives.   I don't have any young ones on my list though.

Nov 12, 2024 12:22 PM
Kathy Streib

Joan Cox now, most of them want money or gift cards!!

Nov 12, 2024 06:49 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy my granddaughter loves to read, so we purchase books for her throughout the year.  My wife just purchased a series of books for her and one for herself so they can take turns reading them to each other when we FaceTime every week.

Nov 12, 2024 03:35 PM
Kathy Streib

I love this George Souto Thank goodness for Facetime, right!!

Nov 12, 2024 06:51 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy:

The ability to read and understand what we are reading is an essential skill and will impact so much of what we do in life. It's sad that so many adults read at only a 6th grade level and that 21% are believed to be illiterate. Our kids loved to read and we started reading to them when they were quite young. It's been fun watching the grandkids' reading skills grow and the pleasure that they have reading - it opens up a whole new world for them to be able to read on their own.

Jeff

Nov 12, 2024 05:12 PM
Kathy Streib

Jeff Dowler, CRS this (reading) is one area where parents can have a huge impact...from reading to them, taking them to the library...and letting children seeing you read!!!

Nov 12, 2024 06:52 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I had no idea the illiteracy rate was so high.  I was fortunate when I grew up.  There was a public library just 2 blocks from home.  I lived there in summer months.

Nov 12, 2024 06:00 PM
Kathy Streib

It's a sad state of affairs, isn't it Myrl Jeffcoat I feel strongly about this subject because if you cannot read, there are walls that are automatically put up around you. 

Nov 12, 2024 06:54 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Indeed Kathy Streib  I have been aware of these sad statistics about reading... now with that said like you we give books to people we know with children depending on their age what books to give them.... and to go a step further we often give books to adults as well:)Endre

Nov 12, 2024 08:27 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I rely on my daughter and my daughter-in-law for gift suggestions for the kids. Both are stumped this year and as of now have provided no ideas. Of the six kids, I am done shopping for only one...the youngest, because the younger they are the easier to buy for. LOL

Nov 14, 2024 08:42 AM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Kathy,

I enjoyed your blog on reading.  I used to be an elementary school teacher. I understand the importance and value of reading. I wish more people would give books as birthday, Christmas, or any special occasion. Thanks for sharing.

Nov 20, 2024 06:53 PM