May 7 through 13, State Rep. Jackie Haas is joining colleagues in the House of Representatives in recognizing Illinois’ Read with Your Child Week. She is a co-sponsor of House Resolution 256, which declares this week as Read with Your Child Week in the State of Illinois. HR 256 currently is in the House Elementary and Secondary Education: School Curriculum and Policies Committee.
“Studies have shown the significance of reading with young children in their long-term academic success,” said Rep. Haas. “I’m glad to join my colleagues in recognizing Read with Your Child Week to promote this habit and make reading time a part of your family routines. The 79th District also is home to terrific libraries, with lots of children’s books to inspire young readers with their parents, from Park Forest to Kankakee.”
HR 256 recognizes parents are indispensable in the education of their children, and the habits they model are vital to a child’s development. It also reiterates 2022 data from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), including one third of Illinois children are reading below their basic grade level. Another study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found third graders, who do not read proficiently, are four times more likely to drop out of high school. It also found low-income students, who do not read proficiently, are six times more likely to drop out of high school.
“Children who read a book a day will hear approximately 290,000 more words by the age of five than children who do not read regularly with parents,” Rep. Haas continued, referencing a 2019 study by Ohio State University. “There is big impact in what may seem like a small act, and I encourage 79th District parents of young children to read with their kids every day!”