The Importance of Reading by Amelia

The Importance of Reading by Amelia - March 2017 Scholarship Essay

I would like to give a speech to a school-wide audience on the importance of reading. Why is reading so important for children to learn? Reading is important because it develops the mind. Reading is exercise for the brain, which is a muscle.

Reading sparks the imagination, opening up a child's to new ideas and concepts. By reading at a young age it helps children develop their language and listening skills. Learning to read is about listening and understanding what they are reading. Children who see adults reading, and enjoying it, are more likely to read themselves. It encourages creativity. Sitting down with a book takes a lot of focus and concentration.
Reading is fundamental in developing a good self image. Non-readers or poor readers often have low opinions of themselves and their abilities. Children who are poor readers will have difficulty catching up, where some never will. Reading helps build independence and self confidence.
Studies show that reading for pleasure makes a huge difference in a child's educational performance.Reading is known to improve concentration. Good reading skills, especially in a phonics reading program, improve spelling and also helps expand vocabulary. Reading is one of the most important fundamental skills children must learn to succeed in school. Almost everything we do involves reading of some form. A simple fact is the more you read, the better you are at it.
Reading is a form of entertainment. It helps you relax and best of all it's free. Reading can be a socializing activity, for example (when someone reads aloud to another person or group). Reading out loud exposes children to proper grammar. It enhances children's development of spoken language skills and their ability to express themselves verbally.
Roughly 85% of children diagnosed with learning difficulties have a primary problem with reading and related language skills. Educational researchers have found that there is a strong correlation between reading and academic success. A student who is a good reader is more likely to do well in school and pass exams than a student who is a weak reader.
An essay on reading is so important to me because I myself have a reading disability. I struggled from elementary until high school. I'm a senior about to graduate high school. I've been excepted to Gulf Coast State College. With all the hard work from my family, teachers and myself I'm finally on grade level reading. That in itself is an accomplishment for me. Reading is fundamental to functioning in today's society. It's a vital skill in finding a job. In a nutshell, a person is limited in what they can accomplish without good reading and comprehension skills. So let's get reading.