The average teenager in the United States now spends roughly 8 1/2 hours a day glued to entertainment screens—scrolling through smartphones, watching videos on tablets, streaming music, and playing video games. And how much of their leisure time do they spend reading nonfiction?
Less than 4 minutes a day.
That is consistent with findings from comprehensive national tracking of youth media trends. Sure, children and teenagers are reading outside school—averaging about 25 minutes a day. But the vast majority of that leisure reading is dedicated to fiction. Modern publishing data reveals that juvenile and young adult fiction heavily dominates the market, outselling children’s nonfiction by more than 4 to 1.
Students who read more tend to learn more vocabulary, become more proficient readers, find reading more enjoyable, and thus continue to read more. Poor readers, on the other hand, tend to read less and lose ground. Over time, these differences create a huge gap in learning. Now, researchers have discovered that it’s not just how much students read that matters, but also what they read.
Nonfiction texts prepare students to think logically, analyze data, and discuss complex and controversial issues. In particular, students need to read and comprehend informational texts as often—and as fluently—as they do narrative texts.
The New Hampshire Curriculum Framework states that the ability to read is essential for students to succeed as learners, both in school and throughout their lives, and to become contributing members of society. Good readers combine the inclination to read with the ability to use monitoring and discussion to develop understanding. They employ multiple strategies and processes to understand the written word.
Although test results are only one measure of student achievement, they have become increasing important tool in the assessment of student learning. It is important to be aware of both your child’s score on the assessments and the overall score for his or her school.
Recent results from the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NHSAS) show that 55% of tested students are reading and writing at a proficient level or above. The remaining 45% test below proficient benchmarks. This skill gap follows students into higher education, where national estimates show 33% to 50% of students require some form of remedial coursework upon enrollment. This lack of foundational readiness heavily fuels student attrition, contributing to a first-year college freshman dropout rate of roughly 22% to 24%.
Perhaps the easiest way to spark your child’s interest in nonfiction reading is to get them to pursue their passion. Are they gaga over bugs? Is it airplanes, music, art, the ocean? Start by encouraging your child to learn more about what interests them the most. Finding books that connect experiments with what your child already knows about life and nature helps to discourage the “so what?” factor.
The facts your child discovers can be shared with family members and friends. So make opportunities to share what you both find out – such as telling people what the Romans put in their toothpaste (something nasty – Google it!).
Although fiction is a great way to lose yourself in another’s imagination, teach your child that the real world is a great story too!
New England Tutors
Barrington, NH | 03825
(603) 953-5025
info@netutors.com