Many times when we focus on reading we think about books. However, material is all around us waiting to be read. As you drive along the streets and highways, there is text informing us about products and events and guiding our behaviors as we go. When we purchase an item, it comes with instructions to ensure that the purchaser gets the most out of the product. Reading is all around us in what is commonly referred to as environmental print and we need to alert learners about the importance of reading beyond books.
The use of the internet requires the user to have some basic reading skills in order to navigate to the desired material. Administering or taking medicine, filling out a form or find information about places of interest relies on reading. Even karaoke involves the singer reading the lyrics to follow along while singing. Then why limit reading to textbooks.
Learners need to see reading as a functional necessary part of their existence. Teachers and parents alike need to encourage learners to become ardent readers through activities such as cooking with recipes, selecting snacks by reading the nutritional information, using instructions to build toy models and consulting brochures to determine learning experiences. These reading experiences not only make the act meaningful but also purposeful.
It is also very rewarding for the learner to have many rich and varied hands on experiences. These experiences enhance the quality of thoughts that are then transferred into writing and reading. The learner will be able to visualize the activities as reading and writing is undertaken. These activities can include a visit to the park, taking transport to a destination, watching a bird hatch, looking at animals feeding and riding a horse. Learners need to be motivated and constantly reminded about the importance of functional reading.
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