THE POWER TO OWN BOOKS!
Children at risk of suffering illiteracy due to poverty or family dysfunction deserve the opportunity to own books and have access to books in their homes. This can inspire children to make greater choices in school and life. In short, book ownership gives them the opportunity to choose a brighter future. Why? Evidence is building to show that book ownership has a strong influence on literacy and educational attainment regardless of factors such as poverty.
A study conducted by the University of Nevada (Evans et al., 2010) found that the number of books in a child's home has as great an impact on children’s educational levels as on adults. The 20 year study found that having as few as 20 books in the home still has a significant impact on propelling a child to a higher level of education. The more books you add, the greater the benefit.
A German study (Schubert and Becker, 2010) found that the number of books owned in a household was a strong predictor of reading achievement, even when income, parental education, aspects of schooling, language used at home, and other aspects of the home environment were controlled. This was the case at age 15 and also at age 10.
Furthermore, a Reading is Fundamental in the USA analysis of evidence from 108 relevant studies (Lindsay, 2010) found that access to books improves children’s reading performance, encourages children to read more and for longer lengths of time and produces improved attitudes toward reading and learning among children.
Evidence is building to show that book ownership has a strong influence on educational attainment regardless of other factors such as poverty, etc. But that's just part of reason why children, especially those most at risk of illiteracy need access to books.
Book ownership is also a quality of life issue. Access to books give children more activity choices. In some homes, the only choices are the choices children don't need to have access to.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about the positive effects of book ownership.
A study conducted by the University of Nevada (Evans et al., 2010) found that the number of books in a child's home has as great an impact on children’s educational levels as on adults. The 20 year study found that having as few as 20 books in the home still has a significant impact on propelling a child to a higher level of education. The more books you add, the greater the benefit.
A German study (Schubert and Becker, 2010) found that the number of books owned in a household was a strong predictor of reading achievement, even when income, parental education, aspects of schooling, language used at home, and other aspects of the home environment were controlled. This was the case at age 15 and also at age 10.
Furthermore, a Reading is Fundamental in the USA analysis of evidence from 108 relevant studies (Lindsay, 2010) found that access to books improves children’s reading performance, encourages children to read more and for longer lengths of time and produces improved attitudes toward reading and learning among children.
Evidence is building to show that book ownership has a strong influence on educational attainment regardless of other factors such as poverty, etc. But that's just part of reason why children, especially those most at risk of illiteracy need access to books.
Book ownership is also a quality of life issue. Access to books give children more activity choices. In some homes, the only choices are the choices children don't need to have access to.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about the positive effects of book ownership.