Reading to kids: It’s literally life-changing
The nation’s first reading ambassador is on a mission to encourage literacy, writes
Ben Brown wants parents to read to their children every day. Don’t think it will make a difference? He’d beg to differ. ‘‘It damn well will.’’ The Lyttelton-based poet, author and publisher has been announced as the first Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador, a national role overseen by the National Library to champion reading, literature and literacy in the lives of young Kiwis, their wha¯ nau and communities.
A former tobacco farm labourer, market gardener and tractor driver, Brown (Nga¯ ti Mahuta, Nga¯ ti Koroki, Nga¯ ti Paoa) was read to always as a child and says the importance of that cannot be overstated.
‘‘That is simple role-model behaviour; it’s change-the-world behaviour. Reading . . . can take 10 minutes out of the day, but can give a child the warm cuddly factor. Tell them stories, reinforce who they are, why they are there, why they are important. Make it a mantra and do it every day.’’
There is no road map for the role, which he will hold for two years, and Brown says its brief and scope are both broad and specific at the same time.
Almost 12 per cent of adults have low literacy proficiency, according to a 2016 OECD report from Skills Matter New Zealand.
A report from last year, The literacy landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand, found achievement levels have been dropping consistently, and wide literacy disparities remain unchanged.
It found significant barriers to literacy achievement among young
people, include poor preparation of teachers, limited funding for educational science, disparities in living circumstances, and structural inequalities and discrimination.
Brown knows change won’t happen overnight and says the most powerful impacts will come via behavioural and attitude shifts towards reading and literacy more generally.
Although New Zealand has access to resources like libraries to help fix the problem, engagement and access to libraries are still issues, Brown says, particularly in rural and low socioeconomic areas.
Having run a writing workshop in a youth justice residence facility, Brown has seen first-hand the impact of low literacy rates on some of the country’s most vulnerable. He says those children’s experiences with Aotearoa’s mainstream schooling system show its failures in their most human form.
‘‘Illiteracy is hugely disproportionate in the youth justice system. Half of them have serious literacy issues or are outright illiterate: They can’t read or spell. That embarrasses them and they get angry . . . A lot of it comes from home, like ‘dad thought reading was sissy’, or ‘mum didn’t bother’.’’
Brown says sometimes parents can fall into the trap of repeating learned behaviour from their own childhoods, but breaking the cycle is crucial.
The myth that those who are illiterate do not have anything to say needs banishing, he says. People should be encouraged to write first – to express themselves – then focus on presentation.
This is where an overhaul of the education curriculum comes in, he says.
Literature taught in schools must be relevant and speak to children: ‘‘It must have images and moments they recognise. Maybe not directly from their lives, but touchstones – otherwise you’re shouting into the wind.’’
The other monumental challenge Brown faces is the prominence of technology in children’s experiences with literature. Research suggests the majority of read and viewed content comes to young people via screens these days.
Brown says there are reasons to focus on literacy everywhere. On social media in particular, users are encouraged to publish personal information and others might judge those posts.
As well as championing literacy, the role will build appreciation of stories and literature that reflect Aotearoa, and focus on increasing access to and creation of reading resources in te reo Ma¯ ori and other languages.
The role will also build visibility and awareness of reading across sectors and make connections between organisations involved in reading, literature, literacy and the wellbeing of youth.
While Brown is still coming up with strategies to move the cause forward, he says what will inform the work is the idea that everybody is a poet.
‘‘It’s not rocket science – just don’t snuff out the spark. The first thing is engagement.’’
‘‘Tell them stories . . . do it every day.’’
Ben Brown