By JEANNI RITCHIE

Cadets from the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program (YCP) read to students at Horseshoe Drive Elementary Tuesday as part of Read Across America week.

 

The theme for this year’s Read Across America is “Create and Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers” and these grade-school students participated in a variety of activities, including these cadet read-alouds.

 

“We also have a school-wide bookmark contest and dress-up days that correlate with books, such as ‘Grinch’ green and dress as your favorite book character,” Principal Christine Gatlin says.

 

Ki’ahja Richards, 6, was in the 1st grade class I visited. “Splat the Cat was my favorite book,” she declared.

 

Cadet Connor Ochoa had read three books to the class, stories chosen for him to read that had coincidentally been some of his childhood favorites. The other cadets enthusiastically read stories as well, fostering a love of both reading and children that illuminate the bright future these young adults from YCP are destined to achieve.

 

Passing down our love of reading and our favorite books to new generations is precisely why we celebrate Read Across America each year. In an ever-increasing technological world, reading remains vital to growth and learning.

 

Reading is one of the fundamental skills that children learn in their early years yet according to studies, the number of children who read books for fun has been declining steadily since 2010. Reliance on screens and gadgets is one of the biggest factors.

 

I have extremely active grandchildren; I succumb to that temptation occasionally myself.

 

But experts know that this trend could have serious consequences on children’s language development and brain development. Dr. Pamela High, a pediatrician at the American Academy of Pediatrics, says, “Reading is a vital skill that helps children learn and grow. It enhances their cognitive and language skills, improves their concentration, and expands their knowledge about the world. Reading books helps children understand different cultures and perspectives, which is essential for their social and emotional development.”

 

Schools like Horseshoe Drive Elementary are doing their part in this literary mission. Read Across America continues through March 6th and is a part of National Reading Month throughout the entire month of March.

 

Grab a book, find your happy place, and read!