The Butler County Early Care & Education Council celebrated the national “Week of the Young Child” with an important event this week that aimed to encourage children to take part in an activity that, according to recent studies, they are doing less and less of their own volition.

That activity, unfortunately, is reading.

While children are obviously required to do some reading during school hours and homework assignments often involve cracking a book, studies have found that there’s a fairly significant drop-off for children reading for enjoyment at an early age in the United States.

A 2018 survey by Scholastic found that while 57% of 8-year-olds said they read for fun five to seven days per week, that number falls to 35% by age 9.

That’s a steep and concerning decline.

A study the following year by the National Institute for Literacy found that only one-third of fourth-grade students reach the proficient reading level.

It also noted that 45 million Americans cannot read above a fifth-grade level. The average age of a fifth-grader is 10 or 11 years old, which is just a year or two after the age when young people’s interest in reading appears to decline, according to Scholastic’s survey.

According to the National Education Association, students who read without having to be told to do so excel in many ways over students who do not, from better test scores to higher motivation.

There are many practical benefits to reading, but it’s also a fun way to expand your horizons, boost your imagination and increase your empathy.

So, it’s great that the Butler County Early Care & Education Council hosted “Bugging Out About Books” this week. The event included free activity bags for children ages 8 and younger, and featured activities that were meant to get children in the area excited about reading.

Its aim was also to raise awareness for families about the importance of developing literacy at an early age. After all, a young child’s first teacher isn’t in school, but at home.

Parents who encourage their children to read at an early age are doing them a big favor and giving them a great gift.

We’re glad to see such a great program being held in the county, and hope more of its kind are on the way.

— NCD