I've been working so much this month that my reading has been mainly work related rather than leisure reading. I cannot always use reading books to unwind because I do not do well with having to stop reading when it's not a natural break in the story. When I have a specific time I have to stop to go to bed or transition a task, I cannot predict that I will be at a natural break point. For me, that is not relaxing so I don't do it. Instead, I have spent a bit of time playing/reading on Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Bubbles on my tablet to unwind at the end of many long days. I am not a full proponent of using video games or screen time for kids to unwind but I also know that there can be some value and find that to be leading my reading related musings today.
Reading is a system of tools we use to make meaning from information (text and symbols). Reading requires many areas of the brain working together as a complex system. Sometimes, it can be just as beneficial to work on one area of that system rather than all to keep the system working smoothly.
As a parent, I had to teach myself that my kids were developing their reading skills even if they weren't sitting and reading a traditional book. As a teacher, I have these conversations with students and parents on a weekly basis. I also find myself having these conversations with administrators on behalf of teachers and parents on a fairly regular basis. We all want what's best for kids and reading is a significant area of concern (as it should be). Today is just a reminder that reading is not a race; there is no finish line.
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