United Through Reading Releases White Paper Highlighting Study that Reading with Military Children Helps Strengthen Their Literacy Skills
March 25, 2021
San Diego, CA, March 25, 2021 – Life for military children is filled with unique challenges yet a new study finds that the power of reading together with parents can help bolster their literacy skills and build resilience. The research is detailed in a new white paper released by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, United Through Reading, titled “Reading & Resiliency: Making Literacy a Military Community Priority.” The document aims to outline the importance of the act of reading especially in light of the current COVID-19 learning environment and oncoming stress that the global pandemic has created.
“Resiliency through reading is attainable, accessible and adaptable for every child in our diverse military community,” said Dr. Sally Ann Zoll, CEO of United Through Reading. “It is our duty to protect the children of those who protect the nation, and through literacy, we can.”
The paper draws upon comprehensive research that shows that reading is the most important activity that families can do together to help little ones improve their literary skills during their crucial development years. The findings are extra pertinent as half of military parents have also reported that their children are facing a decrease in academic achievement, with their learning suffering as a result of the pandemic.
United Through Reading’s virtual recording program allows parents and their children to read together even during a deployment, thousands of miles away from one another. Sharing a story assists in maintaining family connections that are important for a military child during times of separation.
By ensuring that military children’s education is supported through strong literacy skills, parents can be equipped with another tool to help maintain high levels of family quality of life, which ultimately improves overall military readiness.
About United Through Reading
United Through Reading keeps military families reading together, no matter the distance between them. Families stay connected through video recordings of storytime and books, sent to military families to help ease the stress of separation, maintain positive emotional connections, and cultivate a love of reading and early childhood literacy. Service members can record a story for their family at more than 200 United Through Reading recording locations worldwide, as well as on their mobile device with our free and secure reading App. Since 1989, 2.5 million military members and their families have benefited from the program.