The Woodling's Blog

Posted by Dad

I read a very sad article today in the online version of the UK’s Daily Telegraph.  It mentioned that a survey of British parents indicated that 75% of parents were too busy to read to their children consistently.  Even more alarming is that only 3% of fathers read to their children at all.  3%!

That is inexcusable.

Alexandra and I feel very strongly that one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child is a love of books.  It doesn’t matter if you read from old-fashioned paper books or from an e-book reader like the Kindle.  Most of you know that I prefer the Kindle for its smaller environmental impact, cheaper price per book and the potential it has to give many writers the ability to distribute their work without a publisher to act as a gatekeeper.  When appropriate, I will certainly encourage the Woodling to go the e-book route.  But more important than how my child reads is whether my child reads.  It is an appreciation that I intend to help foster at an early age.

Other sources of stimulation, be it a computer, the Internet (protected, child-safe sites of course) and even limited access to television, are important and have their place.  Used properly, all of those sources can be great tools for learning and discovery.  Here is a great example of a site that a friend of mine is building which uses the power of the Internet and community encourage the growth of young girls.

But it all begins with reading.  Books stimulate the imagination and encourage cognitive thinking.  Books teach you to appreciate the patience of following a story from beginning to end, rather than relying on the instant gratification of a website or a 2-minute video clip.  Books can tell you answers, but, more importantly, help you discover how to ask the right questions.

I also look forward to reading to my children because it will be a great way to spend quality time with them.  Sadly, reality demands that I have limited time with my kids during the work week so I want to make the most of what time I get.  I know that finding time to read to the Woodling will be difficult for me, just as I am sure it is challenging for all parents to read to their children.  We all have to cram in what seems like 40 hours of work, family, community and social responsibilities into a 24-hour day and still find time to sleep so we can do it again tomorrow.  But experience has taught me that we find ways to accomplish those responsibilities we think are most important - those we consider a priority.

Well, there are few things this parent will prioritize more than reading to his child every night.