Is literacy declining?
Since becoming a parent, I think a lot about my daughter’s education. Coming from a teaching background myself, I understand the importance of the first five years, especially when it comes to language learning.
While researching the best ways to support my daughter’s learning, I came across something that really shocked me. Literacy in the U.S. is declining, and it’s not just a small drop.
National reading scores for children and even adults have dropped in recent years. Only around 35% of high school seniors are considered proficient in reading. Add that to a recent study in 2023 found a significant drop in literacy with adults in the U.S.
As the study goes on to say, “A literate community is a thriving community for all.” Literacy isn’t just about books. It’s about thinking critically, learning to communicate with others, and it helps with confidence.
The good news is, we can do something about it, and it starts at home. You don’t need a fancy curriculum guideline or expensive resources to build literacy skills. Just 10 minutes of reading a day with your child can make a huge difference.
I get it. We are busy. I work a full-time job outside of my book writing (and book marketing), and I take care of a toddler. When is there time in the day to devote towards building a foundation in literacy? It’s important to me that my daughter has her best foot forward when it comes to her education, and you might also feel the same about your child’s learning.
So, I’ve come up with some tips and suggestions you can try to get the ball going.
Create a reading routine
This is so important and really sets the precedent in your house. Creating a daily habit of reading early on in your child’s life is the building blocks of literacy. Make reading fun, not a chore.
Build a cozy reading space
I understand that this isn’t always easy, depending on where you live. My husband and I lived in a tiny apartment for several years, and you couldn’t even whisper without the other person hearing you.
It doesn’t have to be “Pinterest perfect” just a spot where books feel exciting and accessible. I’ve set up a little reading corner in my home office where my daughter can have a quiet space to explore her books.
Play with phonics
One thing I learned when teaching students of other languages is that it’s all about phonics. Try rhyming games, silly songs, or pointing out letter sounds. This can really help build a strong reading foundation.
There are several great videos on YouTube for learning phonics.
Let them choose the books
Even if it’s the same one 20 times, interest drives engagement.
Talk about the stories
Ask questions and try to guess what might happen next. Or have them tell the story back to you in their own words. This can really help develop their imagination.
You can even turn it into a weekly “book club” where you and your kids talk about what you’ve read that week.
Be a role model
Kids will mimic the behavior they see. If they see you reading a book, they will most likely also want to read a book. This is something I struggle with as I’m either on my computer or my phone. I work every day—just about all day long—on my computer. I’ve really been making an effort to read more books when I’m around my daughter because I want to give her a positive impression of reading for fun.
Fight the decline
If we want to fight this literacy decline, it starts with small, intentional moments at home. Our kids are always watching and learning, so let’s show them that reading is not just important, but fun!
Some other sources to explore:
Adult Literacy Rates are Falling; New Literacy Study Shows Big Problems
