Reading Makes Kids Happier and More Confident

When I was tutoring young kids in reading, I usually noticed an increase in my students' self-confidence and general air of happiness after a few lessons. This was epitomized by the mother of one of my students, who told me that the other hockey moms were asking her what had happened to Curtis - who had suddenly started skating and shooting with much more confidence and verve. 

This phenomenon is borne out by this column by a Mississippi grade 1 teacher. This teacher feels very lucky to be a part of her students' transition into reading, and indeed it is a wonderful feeling. But the luck extends to her students as well, as she is one of the few grade 1 teachers who make it a priority to usher every one of their students into the wonderful world of reading. We know this because 42% of Canadians between the ages of 16 and 65 have less than adequate literacy skills. 

At the risk of repeating myself, teaching reading should be schools' job number one.

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