Situation Analysis: The Importance Of Reading

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Situation Analysis

Reading is a very important skill and an indispensable activity. This is reflected in the statement of Davis (2012) when he mentioned about the dilemma one is confronted with when one lacks reading skill and explicitly discussed the importance of reading. According to Davis, there are many adults who cannot read well enough to understand the instructions on a medicine bottle. That is a scary thought - especially for their children because life is at stake. Filling out applications becomes impossible without help. Reading road signs or warning signs is difficult. Even following a map becomes a chore. Day-to-day activities that many people take for granted become a source of frustration, anger and fear. It further elaborates the importance of reading when it mentioned that it is important because it develops the mind. The brain is a

Chall and Stahl (2009) articulated the importance of good teaching and effective school leadership in promoting reading achievement. It was mentioned that learners tend to learn to read better if a strong leader (the teacher or the school principal) sets high expectations about reading achievement. Moreover, the amount of direct instruction in reading and the amount of time learners spend in reading related activities also affect reading development. These, however, call for a rich reading environment with the collaboration of the family.

The role of parents is indispensable. They initially sowed the seed of learning. Once a child is born, consciously or unconsciously, the parents are preparing this growing individual’s learning quest. Socio-cognitive learning stimuli like talking to the child, reading a story, pointing at things found in the environment and many more are just some conditions that have bearing on the development on the pre-reading skills like visual and auditory