Drawing from a research study from the University of Washington, New York Times columnist Dr. Perri Klass notes that " schoolchildren who read and write at home with their parents may build not only their academic literacy skills, but also other important life and learning skills. " The project followed children for five years, starting in either 1st or 3rd grade. 

In Literacy Builds Life Skills as Well as Language Skills, Dr. Klass goes on to explain that literacy is not a simple concept. " When we speak of literacy and literacy promotion, we need to acknowledge how much literacy encompasses," she writes. " Yes, it's a key to success in school, with all that implies about life trajectory, earning power and socioeconomic status. It's also a key to citizenship and enfranchisement in society, to your ability to understand and take part in all the discourse that shapes your community and your country and your world. It's the product of a whole range of brain circuits from vocabulary and vision and visual processing to memory and meaning."

The article eloquently expresses complex concepts that underpin the power of parents and the importance of Reach Out and Read. See what you think!