Woodlands Online and Conroe ISD are on the same page with 'Read for a Better Life Day'

THE WOODLANDS, TX - Staff from Woodlands Online ventured out to Hailey Elementary School, one of Conroe Independent School District's Woodlands elementary schools, to read books to young children as part of the district-wide 'Read for a Better Life Day' event.

Read for a Better Life Day is traditionally the third Wednesday of September.CISD takes this opportunity each year to promote a culture of reading by calling to action all adults within the community to devote at least 30 minutes a day to reading aloud to children.

The Woodlands Online News Editor had the honor of reading three books to Ms. Hunt's first grade class, who listened politely and attentively, and even insisted on reading the final book back to the reader. Also at the school were members of Rotary Club of The Woodlands, College Park Cavaliers players and cheerleaders, parents, and other members of the community, who all took the time to read to the eager children.

Dr. Curtis Null, Conroe ISD Superintendent, feels strongly that the single most important thing you can do for a child is encouraging children to read by reading to them.

"What can you do at home? Choose a time to read aloud to your children at least once a day. Show your children that reading is fun – let them see you read. Keep books handy to fill the time when you travel, shop, or have a doctor’s appointment. It is never too late to read aloud to your child – even high school students benefit from reading every day."

The community at large can help by volunteering to read to children in a school or daycare, donating books and time, and providing books to read while children and parents are in the reception/waiting areas of your office/business.

"Show CISD’s 'Read for a Better Life' website to your clients, patients, friends, and family," said Null.

Experts agree with the CISD initiative. According to the National Institute for Literacy, “Children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading than children who are read to less than three times a week.”

The National Center for Education Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Education, has stated that the percentage of young children read aloud to daily by a family member is one indicator of how well young children are prepared for school.