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Are you literate? Even a little? I’m begging you to read this. Please.

We have to discuss the issues surrounding illiteracy in America. It’s become of such significance that we cannot dismiss it any longer, irrespective of whether or not we have school-age children. This is paramount. If we do not address this issue now — I wager that in less than ten years we will live in a society that is beyond repair or remedy. We will have crossed the threshold, having tipped the scales, and fallen off the cliff. We will be at the proverbial ‘point of no return’. And if you are a high-school student or young adult in college; perhaps you are in your twenties looking for a job — you need to read this.

I share details. This is not a rant. This is actionable. I expound upon literacy, having curated a list of realistic goals and clear takeaways, complete with 20 methods and means we can implement to effect lasting change in our homes and families.

Let’s go.

What Exactly is Literacy?

The Ability to Read

Literacy is not merely the ability to read. Far from it. On the contrary, literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, understand, process, and assimilate information whereby you can utilize it appropriately. Literature indeed has utility. Absolutely. Reading should stimulate you toward yet more reading, and afford you a richer life. In grade school and beyond, far into my college career, we were digesting and reporting upon significant literary works at a very young impressionable age. Some of them I hated. Others I loved. One thing I can attest to: all of them, I remember. I learned something from those authors that has stayed with me irrevocably.

When you are able to read you have gained an entrance into life that would otherwise never be available to you. We have to prepare our kids for the real world we live in. Nothing can take you somewhere like a good book.

GOAL: Our kids need to be reading at least one book a week and reporting on it either verbally via discussion or in writing. Reading needs to become a sacred pastime that is practiced habitually, being formally integrated into the home and school curriculum. Reading should be routine, and be deemed a priority. The art and practice of reading should be honored and books should be respected.

The Ability to Write

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: If you cannot read — your writing (or lack thereof) will reflect that inability acutely. You will never write better than you read. Ever. 

I have recently cared for patients who didn’t know how to sign their names. One scribbled. Another made a star. Another said, “They don’t teach us cursive anymore.” So she both printed and signed with block letters. Some of these adults are so childlike I am scared of what will become of them — and our future society.

This is becoming far too common.

Words have meaning, which is sometimes entirely dependent upon context. You cannot always rely upon their spelling. English is well-known for its lexical ambiguity. Grammar is of central importance as well. Spelling and punctuation are critical. I remember diagraming complex sentences by the time I was in seventh grade. I knew how to categorize words, and why the comma, semi-colon, and period were placed accordingly. I understood word types, syllables, synonyms, antonyms, and how to read a dictionary and thesaurus. Those, in fact, were the two books we lived by. To this day I have several on my shelf, and my grandmother passed one down to me that I will never relinquish. It’s absolutely invaluable.

Cursive writing has sadly been eliminated. Axed. I remember that once we were past third grade, we were not even allowed to print any longer. Cursive was demanded, and it became the only means by which you could write. Teachers made sure penmanship was legible. We hand wrote theme papers, research papers, book reviews, and did all our homework in cursive, not to mention wrote our names with a signature we were encouraged to artistically develop. This was the only time we were allowed to stray from proper cursive, employing our own special artistic flair.

We need to bring back cursive as the standard immediately.

GOAL: Our kids need to be able to write their names. They need to learn cursive as a standard and develop their penmanship. They need to be able to write a simple report. They should be able to write a formal and informal letter. Eventually, they should be able to write an intelligent research paper. They should be practicing some manner of journaling or writing every single day.

The Ability to Speak

Fluency in your native tongue is a key part of literacy.

Today, people are largely unable to articulate themselves properly.  Proper English has been decimated with an entire “urban dictionary” of  slang, unofficial abbreviations of every kind imaginable, and catastrophic verbage that is equally as offensive as obscenities (in my opinion). I get it — when we’re in casual conversation, we let our hair down a bit. That’s fine. However, people still need the ability to use proper English. Begin with the ability to say “Yes” and “No” instead of “uh, yeah” or “uh-huh”. Begin there and progress.

Proper pronunciation, articulation, word choice, context, grammar, and syntax are critical to an advancing human race. Intelligent conversation can only come through literacy. Simple-minded people talk about other people. They talk about the weather, and the mundane events of their day. However, people who have learned the art of conversation talk about complex ideas, experiences, life lessons learned, personal discoveries, history, philosophical beliefs, and theologies, to name a few — all of which make for intellectually stimulating conversations that needn’t invoke any kind of offense. They go deeper than what Jane and Susie did on Saturday (although that may be important). Navigating complex conversations that engage with debate, friendly argument, and the like — all afford us the opportunity whereby we learn from others and grow, regardless of whether or not we agree. We become richer individuals when we can listen and share with others who are different from ourselves. Understanding the world around us, and those who live in it happens through complex stimulating conversation, and deep moral (kind) discussion. We must learn how to navigate conversations properly by choosing appropriate words and articulating complex and critical thought intelligently. Misunderstandings are morally and relationally expensive.

If we lose the art of conversation with each other, our ability to relate is going to suffer, by which offense and hatred are borne. If we cannot speak to someone intelligently and know how to choose our words properly, understanding their distinct definitions; if we do not expand our vocabularies beyond DM abbreviations; and if we do not learn how to critically think so we can intelligently give an answer to someone, properly conveying our thought and its processes — then we are no longer a literate people or society.

What’s happening to us is scary. It must be corrected.

GOAL: Our kids should be able to initiate and sustain a conversation of adequate depth and breadth. They should be able to speak without saying “like” and “um”. They should be familiar with how to speak proper English, with an age-appropriate vocabulary, and understand syntax —  so they can navigate life as a successful adult.

The Ability to Understand and Utilize

It has been said that part of what makes our elderly and seniors so valuable is the knowledge, skills, and expertise they carry: all of the collective information which they’ve accumulated throughout their lives. Intelligence is something measurable. An individual’s worth and value are often directly linked to their intelligence, knowledge, and expertise. Someone who is more qualified will likely be paid more. In the same way, literacy does not end with reading, writing, and speaking (socialization). Literacy means nothing if we cannot understand and properly utilize the information we’ve received. It’s utterly wasted. Education means nothing if we remain illiterate. We’re no better than before we started. No one is going to invest a Harvard education on someone who cannot read (until today). You’re throwing time and money into an abyss. You will not reap what you sow, which is precisely my point. You are only literate if you can properly understand and use the information given you.

Let’s think about this for a moment.

We’ve all experienced the insufferable inability to properly understand something and the frustration it brings when we can’t assimilate it: the poorly written manual, the glitchy conversation in a phone call, the missing page in a book, the torn newspaper, the lost hearing aid, the dirty glasses, the TV that goes out at the climax in a news briefing, the lost signal on a car radio when there’s a tornado warning, or God forbid when a cockpit goes black. All of these instances, albeit extrinsic, are examples of how things get missed — leading to confusion, death, and destruction. We are left trying to piece things together. We try to fill in the gaps with our most intelligent guesses. We make assumptions and presumptions (which any intelligent person hates). We are left to our own limited devices. We are essentially flying blind. This stuff happens. But what if you have a well-written manual, a perfectly clear phone call, a complete book, all the newspaper is intact, both hearing aids, clean glasses, you get the whole news brief, the signal for the tornado is coming through loud and clear, and your cockpit is fully operational — and you are illiterate either by written or spoken word? Does it matter anymore?

NO. No, it does not. You are at the same disadvantage.

Case and point: Missing information is serious. Misunderstood information is just as serious. Both can be perilous.

These are nothing more than real-life examples that magnify and prove the importance of being able to navigate, understand, and utilize information properly — irrespective of the means.

On a much smaller scale, this is precisely why the practice of writing a book review or themed paper was so important in school. It required a deliberate and critical processing of the story or information shared and received.

Missing → Misunderstanding → Misappropriation → Misuse → Danger → Chaos and Destruction

It is critical to everyday life that we have a proper understanding, and clarify any points when we have questions or there are omissions of various sorts. Misunderstandings can lead to relationships ending, fatalities when instructions are not followed, and chaos and destruction with improper operations. Everything from a simple verbal command to reading elaborate instructions in a manual — we must be literate in a variety of circumstances to live life well and safely.

The practice of daily journaling, note-taking, writing down thoughts, and making comprehensive entries into a book journal are some of the best private practices in anyone’s life. They are simple, free, and time-tested. We can begin to process the emotions solicited, the thoughts conveyed, any parallels in our private lives, and how we would want to implement what we’ve learned in practical ways. We can notate pages, paragraphs, and key takeaways we don’t want to forget. We can implement memorization. Furthermore, we are better enabled to share and reference with others what we’ve learned. It becomes opportune in classrooms, with friends, at work, and later in life. There are things you’re likely never to forget because you’ve properly navigated and digested the material — you’ve both pondered it and used it successfully. It becomes information added to your intellectual arsenal.

Putting such things into practice is well worthy of your time in advancing your literacy. When any individual (student or otherwise) is able to successfully process and implement the information they’ve received, gains are made not just for themselves, but for society as a whole. It affects how we live our lives: the decisions we make, problems we solve, and our daily interactions with others.

So the question remains: Why are we sending illiterate students to Harvard?

GOAL: Our children should know how to use lexical aids. Our children should know how to process what they are reading, being enabled to make sound decisions, problem-solve, employ conflict resolution, intelligent discussion, and follow explicit instructions, being able to navigate life without chaotic flaws and fatal errors.

#1 Takeaway

Literacy is not just about reading.
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, understand,
and properly utilize the information given and received.

Where Does Literacy Begin?

We all learn to speak before we read. However, reading is what affords us the necessary growth in our native language. My personal background in Family and Children, Child Psychology, Nursing, and Missions has equipped me with sound knowledge and expertise in this area.

Children can sometimes begin to speak as young as eight months. Much of this ability is dependent upon the development of their oral structures, such as tongue, teeth, and other oral motor skills involving the soft palate and cheeks, which are very complex. All of these must come together for mature language, and until they are a year to 18 months, these structures are not developed for speech. Toddlers babble. Consider: we as adults even find it hard to make the appropriate phonetic sounds that provide the structure for certain words outside our native language. Our linguistic abilities are largely dependent upon muscle memory. Therefore, new languages can be very difficult. We do not think about how to pronounce words. But when we have to be deliberate about pronunciations and new phonetic sounds, language again becomes tedious. I see this everyday in stroke victims who require intensive speech therapies where they start over at ground zero, and begin to formulate words and articulate thought.  With that said, depending upon the child’s development, parents should seek to help their children pronounce words properly, with formal distinction, and help them articulate complete thoughts at age-appropriate levels. New words should be introduced, along with their meanings and context. This is where parents train children in word formations, pronunciations, dialects, and articulations with increasing clarity.

The linguistic arts and their processes can be very complex, and actually a lot of fun. Young children will often create words which should make sense and oftentimes follow proper rules — yet those words still remain inaccurate by way of context or spelling. When a child states, “I’m constapooped” instead of “constipated” it actually makes perfect sense. We understand them well enough. Yet it remains inaccurate. It can be delightful to see them formulate these words, which is a clear sign of intelligent thought, and children should be rewarded for trying, and lovingly corrected at the right time. Although watching this process is both adorable and amusing, this can be a very confusing process until they see the words on a page. This is where reading becomes crucial to development, even all the way through our adulthood. It should never stop. There’s never an abrupt time or point in life when we should be able to “graduate” from learning our own language and how to use it properly.

We need to see our language. There is something deeply gratifying to us even emotionally once we can identify words on a page. Whether we’re reading them, or writing them ourselves, the neurological process and stimulus is significant. The entire brain works together to make sense, and more holistic understanding occurs. When we know how to read (and write) effectively, we flourish in our literacy. We need to see letters, words, sentences, and so forth. This is where reading becomes an endless joy and adventure. If affords us all an opportunity to grow in our language, and satisfies our souls in a manner few other leisures can provide.

It is never too soon to read to a child. Once they see the word on the page, they have a blueprint for that phonetic sound from which they can launch and learn other words.

When we read, we learn new ways of saying things; new forms of thought; proper spelling and punctuations, and various contexts whereby words are used appropriately. Reading as an adult should be an exhilarating pastime. We should be increasing in our literary appetites whereby we fatten our intellect and abilities to articulate properly. Our vocabularies should broaden. Our understanding of the world should expand. We should learn and grow in our imaginations. Our communicative abilities to write and articulate should also grow and develop alongside. We should be well-armed with the skills to effectively communicate in a variety of situations, with a variety of people, in a variety of contexts, with a variety of thoughts — when we are intelligent literate human beings.

Literacy begins in the home with parents providing the construct for language development and literacy. We talk with our children. We read to them. We both stimulate their linguistic curiosities and satisfy their linguistic needs to communicate effectively. There is nothing more frustrating for a child than feeling something so acutely, yet having no way to express that emotion clearly to their parents. This is actually where many temper tantrums can originate. When children lack the proper vocabulary to express what they are thinking and feeling — they act out instead. Even adults will “behave” in ways to communicate their needs when they can’t speak clearly, which can equate to various emotional outbursts. I see this in stroke patients who have lost their ability to speak. I’ve watched them cry, throw things, grab at something, and even shake. They have “tantrums” of sorts when they are frustrated in trying to relay a specific need or thought to nursing staff. Patience is key. Likewise, children do not have the emotional development to restrain themselves once they become excited or stressed. They’ve lost control and are already behind the proverbial 8-ball. When parents can help them identify a feeling or thought by introducing proper words and their meaning, children are surprisingly comforted and validated. Parents can echo proper responses to those feelings and needs, and help them navigate the situation. But this takes effort, time, and patience, which sadly many parents fail to demonstrate, or know how to properly implement. They assume their young children do not understand because they don’t have words themselves. This is inaccurate. Children comprehend profoundly more than what they can articulate for themselves. Parents need to talk with their children, guiding them through things verbally. This is necessary for literacy.

Literacy begins in early childhood from the time a child begins to formulate sound. Parents can begin to simulate, mimic, and mirror in ways that are both playful and advance their linguistic development. Saying single-syllable words like “boo”, “mom”, “dad”, “kiss”, “hug”, and the like are very important.

#2 Takeaway

Literacy begins with parents who speak to their children,
and begin carefully building a construct for language development.
We need to see our language as well as hear it.
Written words provide a clear blueprint for navigating and building literacy in our native language.

How to Implement Literacy

I have no faith whatsoever in our educational system to either initiate or implement literacy effectively. Parents: you will need to properly homeschool your children in this area. Children: you will need to apply yourselves and develop healthy literary habits.

It’s not going to happen with an electronic device. Children are not “reading” if they are passively listening to an e-book or podcast. They are not becoming more literate with videos and scrolling. Conversational interaction is key as well, or they will remain socially illiterate, being unable to navigate complex and critical thought with others. Various circumstances, interactions, and settings are necessary with a variety of peoples across the age spectrum. Parents should have adult conversations with their children. Discuss things at random. Kids should converse with their elders. They should also be exposed to interacting with younger children.

Parents: Begin testing your child’s literacy.

Here are twenty inexpensive and simple ways you can jumpstart literacy in your life and home:

#1. CONTESTS & GAMES: The local or national Spelling Bee, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, and the like are all a great place to start.

#2. BOOK CLUBS: The books chosen for any specific club may force you out of your comfort zone. That can be a very healthy opportunity for literary growth. You’ll experience new topics and authors you may have never explored, and you will meet new types of readers who may challenge you.

#3. REWARDS & ALLOWANCES: Parents may want to assign reading, and even offer an allowance according to the book read. A monthly book with combined discussion for chapters, along with a written book review (age-appropriate) can be very rewarding. You will be amazed at what your child will learn. Begin a folder and collection of their essays.

#4. THE USE OF LEXICAL AIDS: Normalize the use of dictionaries, thesauruses, and other lexical aids as valuable tools. Put them on par with any other tool you use in your home. Frequent them, honor them, and keep them close by where they can be readily utilized. Highlight words of interest.

#5. WEEKLY TRIPS TO THE LIBRARY: Not only is this cost-effective, but it’s a fun outing. Visit different libraries in your area. Choose a variety of books and begin a book regimen with reading goals.

#6. CLASSICAL LITERATURE: Classical literature belongs in every home library. Curate a few of the “Greats”. There are a plethora of authors to choose from in various niches. Classical literature will stimulate imaginations, broaden vocabulary, and challenge reading levels.

#7. BOOK JOURNAL: Begin taking notes on the books read. Create a special journal to accompany your annual reads. Don’t mark in your book. Keep it clean. As you read, make references in your journal with takeaways, and referrals to pages and passages you don’t want to forget.

#8. NIGHTLY READING: Practice reading 30 min to 1 hour once you retire. Reading should be something scheduled and pleasurable. I don’t suggest being religious about it, but it should be normative as a nightly routine.

#9. DAILY WRITING: Daily writing such as with journaling or letter-writing is a great way to practice your skills. Beginning a journal is an excellent way to engage your brain in critical thinking, bringing elusive or nuanced thoughts into a cerebral space that is concrete. Millions enjoy this beloved practice for its therapeutic results. It decreases anxiety and depression, promotes emotional health, assists with problem solving, builds memory retention, and will keep you accountable day to day. Find the appropriate words for your emotions, circumstances, and thoughts, and put them to paper.

#10. CALLIGRAPHY: This is a wonderful artistic way to implement the skill of writing. Calligraphy, among other arts such as coloring, is highly regulating for the nervous system, and can assist in neurological function due to hand-eye coordinations. It decreases stress, anxiety, alleviates depression, and promotes relaxation. All the while you will be building neurological pathways that advance your penmanship.

#11. LETTER WRITING: Encourage yourself and other family members to hand write letters, thank you notes, cards, and the like when occasions arise. Formulating thoughts and feelings, as well as penmanship will be developed.

#12. PROPER SOCIALIZATION: Initiate conversations with people of various ages. With respect to children, they are far too often removed or silenced. Adult conversations that are appropriate can be very advantageous for them, offering guidance, learning new information or skills, and new ideas and processes. Regardless of your age, make it a point every day to interact with someone on a deeper level whenever possible with the goal of learning and connecting.

#13. POETRY: Introduce poetry to your children, and encourage them to write it. Discuss the depths poetry offers and the meanings of specific poems, which can be very layered and nuanced, or even hidden. Discuss idioms, metaphors, similes, and the like. The cadence of poetry can be anything from playful to suspenseful. Poetry lends to literacy in a manner that is difficult for other works to accomplish, precisely because it uses words in ways that are artistic and allegorical.

#14. READING NOOKS: Create a reading nook for your children and family. Parents, you can create a space that makes reading fun, inviting, relaxing, and enchanting, both for you and your kids. These can be private or common spaces.

#15. HOME LIBRARY: Begin carefully curating a home library. Start small and slowly build. Begin to treat books with the honor they deserve. List and categorize them. Shelve them appropriately. Design bookmarks and cards. There are endless ways you can make reading a beloved and integrated practice in your home through a private home library.

#16. ORAL STORY-TELLING: Sitting around and telling stories is one of the most beneficial ways to stimulate literate thought processes and engage imaginations. It is fun, it’s deeply personal, it develops relationship, and is very satisfying. It also teaches eye contact and increases the duration of engagement. Each person can take turns, or one can provide the first sentence.

#17. SONG: Reading and singing song lyrics is a wonderful way to stimulate literacy. A hymnal or other lyrical book can be followed for a greater understanding of cadence, tone, and inflections that are used with song.

#18. ORAL BOOK CRITIQUES: Having an in-depth discussion about a book read at home can be soul-satisfying. There are no hindrances found within a formal group. You can revisit it for days or even weeks. You can share passages. Oral discussions and deep dives on a book is time well spent. It’s engrossing and allows for a deep processing to take place that can be transformative in our lives. We can eventually discover some of the hidden gems in an author’s work that would otherwise go unnoticed.

#19. BOOK REVIEWS: Begin taking the time to write a public book review. Craft your review carefully and take the time to make sure it’s hitting the mark without spoiling the story. In doing so, you’ll learn how to better appreciate reading and the author’s hard work. The experiences you’ve had in reading are also helping others, which is a wonderful gift to give.

#20. CREATE or WRITE BOOKS: If you’re an adult, you may one day venture to write a book, or a small e-book, etc. Even if you don’t publish it, the act of writing it will advance you by lightyears. If you’re a parent, you can help your child create a book using words and pictures they draw with any medium you choose. It does not have to be expensive. I did these all the time as a child, and I encourage you to do the same. These are wonderful projects for your children, and it introduces new skills and topics to learn. You will see their imaginations light up, and their creativity come to life. You will be heart-warmed and tickled with their stories.

#3 Takeaway

America’s educational system is not, and will not, advance you in literacy.
Parents and children will need to develop literacy at home in creative age-appropriate ways.

Parents, test your child’s literacy.

Conclusion

It is my hope and prayer that this article has helped you understand literacy and how to implement it in your own life, and/or that of your family. If you are a concerned parent, you should be, and I share in that concern wholeheartedly. I beg you to be proactive. Begin implementing changes wherever you can, whenever you can.

If we are going to live in a functioning society that truly advances forward in this age and era of time, we must put an end to illiteracy and demand higher standards both in our homes and educational system(s). We have to stop this nonsense. America, we cannot send illiterate kids to Harvard. In fact, we cannot send illiterate kids to any institution of higher education. We are in serious trouble if this does not change.

Please share this article. I wish you all the blessings and glories true literacy brings.

Cheers & Shalom,

Image Credit: Geralt | Pixabay

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