Audience Analysis
Intro:
For our group project, we propose that parents read to their children on a day to day basis. This will help them improve their academic skills, reading comprehension, and social interaction. In this paper we want to address parents or guardians of children and students. We are concerned that in the modern world we face today that most kids are not being read to as often as they need to. We are looking to propose a plan to help encourage parents to read to their children on a more consistent basis.
Key Characteristics:
We want to focus on middle class families with children from infancy to adolescence. It is not only important for the adults to understand our purpose, but also for people of younger ages to understand the benefits of reading to encourage their reading habits. Many families have very busy schedules and may not have sufficient time to spend reading to their children.
Another thing that will affect the way we address our audience is taking into account the different cultures and backgrounds that families come from. We realize that not every family speaks English because of their cultural backgrounds and circumstances. Regardless of the language they speak and cultural background we still want to encourage them to apply these same concepts.
Attitude of Audience:
In general, our audience will agree that reading to children from an early age is beneficial for both their social skills and learning development. We are not concerned about convincingparents that reading is important, but rather our issue is convincing parents they need to implement consistent reading into their child's lives. We also will be trying to convince parents and guardians to continue reading to their children even when they can read on their own. We also want parents to encourage their children to read non academically. Some parents may feel that the only reading their children need is from their classes at school.
Executive Summary
Reading: should parents read to kids? Insist on kids reading to themselves at home? How much?
What is the Problem:
Older kids these days are not always at the reading level they need to be at to succeed in school. Not only does this affect them academically but it will also affect them in real life .Especially after high school graduation. Parents need to approach this problem now, while their kids are still young, rather than later.
Where is the problem:
Although this problem exists in many places around the world, for the purposes of this argument and to narrow the topic, the focus will be on the United States population and how reading to children affects Americans later in life.
When did it become a problem:
We generally do not think about how the amount of reading we do with our kids affects them. Over the years we have begun to realize the correlation between reading to kids when they are younger and the affects it has on their academic success when they are older. Its hard to say when this really became a problem because it has slowly progressed over time.
Who does it impact:
This impacts the kids themselves. To help them be more successful in life they need to start reading young. This will help them develop skills that will make them more successful academically. Not only will it benefit them now, but also later in life.
How did it become a problem:
This became a problem by parents passing on the responsibility of reading with their kids to their children’s teachers at school. The reason this is a problem is because teachers do not have the adequate amount of time; they have too many other subjects they need to cover in one day. This means the amount of reading time a child gets at school is simply not enough. This is where parents come in. Parents need to spend time reading to their kids to help them get the one-on-one reading time they need.
Why should the audience care:
Reading to children when they are younger affects them in many different areas in life; both developmentally and intellectually. Not only will it improve their literacy, but it will also assist in the development of their language and communication skills later in life. If parents want their children to reach their potential in literacy and want them to be more successful inschooling, it is in their best interest to understand the benefits of reading to their children at a young age.
Proposal
Parents typically will agree that reading to young children will benefit them. Although they may agree, it doesn't mean that they will incorporate the concept into their lives. Along with this general understanding, there are many studies conducted in the United States that show the positive benefits of reading aloud to children consistently at a young age. These studies evaluate not only language cognition but also reading levels, social interaction, and other important life skills.
There are many different intellectual advantages that result from reading aloud to children, the most obvious being an increase in the child's reading level and ability. Along with a higher reading ability, students who are read to at home also have a higher level of writing.(Spellings). This tie between reading and writing helps students not only in their literacy skills but also in many other subjects (10 reasons).If children become comfortable with reading at a young age, they tend to be able to pick out concepts more easily in other areas of school.
Along with educational and intellectual benefits, reading aloud to children also increases their language skills and social interaction. (10 Reasons). It has been shown through several studies and research in elementary level students, that children with a larger vocabulary tend to do better in formal education settings (Mathieson). Children who have an overall larger vocabulary not only have a better ability to communicate with their peers and superiors but also are more competent in expressing their feelings and inner thoughts. This ability can result inhigher self esteem and self worth which is extremely important in children during the developmental years (Santrock).
Another one of the many benefits of reading aloud to children is the influence it has onseveral life skills. It has been shown that when parents read to their children it helps them develop their cognitive thinking skills as well as the ability to grasp abstract concepts. Reading to children and having them practice reading helps them develop concentration skills (10 Reasons). Developing a child's critical thinking skills will help them in their academics as well as in real life situations.
The importance of reading to children is readily apparent and most would not argue the benefits of reading together. In fact parents can see results through short, consistent reading sessions. It is our goal that parents take the initiative and encourage their children to develop and increase their skills by taking just ten minutes a day to read to their children. Many parents may say they are too busy to take time to read to their children but encourage their kids to read alone. Although a child’s personal reading is important, it is simply not enough. The average American spends two hours on social media and two and a half hours watching television daily. It seems as if there are ten minutes in a day that can be spared to increase their child's educational development (Hinckley). Ten minutes, thats all it takes. However as parents and children adjust to reading together it is encouraged to adjust the time to longer periods to greater influence the benefits of reading.
Although reading to children and independent reading is important, it is also necessary to not allow it to get out of hand. Reading needs to be encouraged not only academically but also for fun. The ability to get lost in a book and explore with imagination is incredible, however there needs to be balance. Parents shouldn’t force children to sit and read for long periods oftime, this could take all the fun out of it. Short amounts here and there with time for discussion and questions however can be very beneficial. Not only for the child to grow intellectually but for bonding time between parent and child.
Dr. Gary Reglin and Dr. Horace Cameron of Nova Southeastern University, and Dr.Nonofo Losike-Sedimo of University of Botswana, conducted a study that determined the effectiveness of parental involvement in students reading scores. They selected 30 students randomly from seventh grade who failed the EOG reading test in the 2009-2010 school years. Results showed that when the parents intervened the experimental groups reading comprehension scores increased. (cite) It is statistically proven that a parents involvement increases their child’s academic skills. As discussed previously, reading helps develop a child’s critical thinking, ability to grasp abstract concepts, and broadening their vocabulary. Reading also helps develop imagination, social interactions, and problem solving. All of these skills not only help children through their academic careers, but they last with them throughout their lives. These skills will help them far beyond their schooling years.
Works Cited
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REGLIN, GARY, HORACE CAMERON, and NONOFO LOSIKE-SEDIMO. "Effects Of A Parent Support Reading Intervention On Seventh-Grade At-Risk Students' Reading Comprehension Scores." Reading Improvement 49.1 (2012): 17-27. Academic Search Premier. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
Spellings , Margaret. US Department of Educatiom . Office of Communication and Outreach .Helping Your Child become a Reader. Washington DC: , 2005. Web.
Sukhram, Diana Patricia, and Amy Hsu. "Developing Reading Partnerships Between Parents And Children: A Reflection On The Reading Together Program." Early Childhood Education Journal 40.2 (2012): 115-121. ERIC. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
Whitebread, David, and Sue Bingham. "Too Much, Too Young: Should Schooling Start at Age 7?" - Opinion. N.p., 18 Nov. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
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