By Flavia Mangan Colgan
Contributing Correspondent

Whether a child is drawn to tales of medieval wizards or stories about the simple lives of everyday children or animals — Storytime encapsulates the way books can channel the young imagination into intellectual growth.

Most of us are familiar with the experience of watching a child’s curiosity expand with the turning of each page. If not from the perspective of a parent, babysitter, or teacher, then we recall Storytime from our own childhood memories. What ritual could better characterize the magic of youth? 

Here in the United States, schools work to supply our youth with the tools they need to enter the adult world with confidence. Whether reading and writing in a professional capacity or independently exploring the world of literature, literacy is a companion to the pursuit of happiness in our nation. 

Many are surprised to learn of the rampant trends of national illiteracy. The current statistics are sobering:

●21% of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level, and a stunning 54% are classified as having poor reading capabilities. 

●Approximately 50% of unemployed youth are functionally illiterate. 

●”Approximately 2.1 students drop out annually. 

These facts raise concern regarding the state of affairs at home. With increasing global connectivity and the expansion of the working world, the United States workforce will need to boast a more impressive competence in literacy to maintain its foothold. We must work to propel our youth once again to the forefront of the academic world.

Every day, dedicated individuals across the nation are working to restore our intellectual culture to prosperity. Institutional reform, charity initiatives, youth mentor programs, and individual families are working towards this vision. 

Notwithstanding, the true key to ending illiteracy in our nation must lie at the root of the issue: at home. The success or failure of our school systems lies not only in the classroom, but in the individual students. We should continue to strive for excellence in instruction, but equally as important is the attitude with which each student enters the classroom. 

iPads and other educational technologies are terrific innovations, but no invention could provide the widespread availability and holistic charm of a material book. The beauties of face-to-face Storytime are manifold: the nurturing bond between parent and child; the excited glow on a child’s face; the intellectual and creative confidence fostered by reinforcing reading skills at home. 

What our nation requires is a grassroots initiative to spur student interest in reading at the ground level. Parents and mentors must work tirelessly as should school officials to inspire a love of reading in our students. As our youth develop and begin to take the reins of the nation, we must ensure their healthy mental development — we must allow students to maintain their natural curiosity. Reading is fundamental to such goals.