Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
With summer slipping by, KSL offers a reminder to parents of young children: take the time to read with them, regularly!
We're reminded of the momentous challenge issued a few years ago by then Governor Olene Walker - for parents to read with a child for at least 20-minutes every day. It seemed a simple invitation, yet one with enormous potential impact.
Think what would happen if every parent accepted the challenge.
Many apparently have, as suggested by a marked improvement in reading test scores throughout the state in the years since Governor Walker's challenge. Still, getting kids to read - to become literate early in their lives - must be an ongoing effort. Getting them to do it during the "dog days of summer" when most of them are out of school can be especially daunting.
But it is worth it.
Research shows kids need to be reading at grade level by third grade or they'll likely flounder throughout the remainder of their education years. The dividends of early literacy continue for a lifetime.
For those parents who are already engaged in regular reading programs with their little ones, we say kudos to you. For those who aren't, don't let any more summer days pass without developing the habit of reading with a child.
