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On October 12th Dorcas Bowler, the Director of Libraries at the National Library and Information Services section of the Ministry of Education spoke to our club about literacy and youth. She spoke of the benefits of reading for children such as reducing stress, building vocabulary, building comprehension and helping them to learn more easily. Reading also stimulates different areas of the brain.
Ms. Bowler emphasized the importance of adults setting an example for children and teenagers. We can speak to them about books we read and show how the information we read helped us to solve problems. We can also share information we learned and read with our kids as often as possible. Some kids gravitate towards electronic devices and we can encourage them to read and write on those devices. An example that was given was writing a blog. Young people should learn to think critically when reading because not everything written is the truth and readers must be able to identify facts from fiction. The dangers or disinformation, misinformation and malinformation were also covered.
Ms. Bowler gave information on the public libraries and the role they play in helping literacy in youth and some of the programs they have such as the summer reading programs. The libraries also have bi-lingual books and a membership corner. Reading and research should be made fun when youth are brought to the library to do research and games can be created. Building reading, writing and listening skills will help in all aspects of one's life.