The Warsaw Community Public Library will host “The Literati Awards” at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18. The event is free and features local home-school students Noelle Seese, Becksley Rice, Eric Josellis, James Vetor, Justin Boyd, Symin Dawson, Jaxin Dawson, Nate Seese, and Audrey Julian as the cast and crew. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Public Library.

By Melissa Chapman
Cataloging Supervisor
Warsaw Community Public Library

WARSAW — International Read to Me Day is celebrated every March 19 across the world. It’s a day that focuses on the importance of reading books to children.

Whether it’s for 10 minutes a day, or an hour, reading to children really helps in developing their imagination, their knowledge and their ability to read even before they start school. This activity is essential since several countries across the world have a low literacy rate. Children in these nations are also taught to read at a later stage in life, hence, their interest in education is affected. If you want to live in an educated world, spread the message and start reading to your children every day.

The day promotes the love for reading, as well as the message of promoting literacy and education across the globe. The day was originally created by the Child Writes Foundation as an attempt to encourage an increase in adult literacy.

According to a report, reading to children in elementary school can actually lead to an increase in the love for reading. In fact, 40% of frequent readers ages 6 to 10 were read to at home. Literacy’s link to reading can be traced down to history as people became more educated once the written word was formed — the use of speaking out these words followed.

Some interesting facts about reading: Between 4,000 to 12,000 words per year can be learned through reading. Reading reduces stress by 69% if you read six minutes a day. According to 19% of readers, reading decreases feelings of loneliness.

Some activities to celebrate the day would be to host a book reading in a library. At the library, people of all ages can volunteer to read to children. Are you a parent or have a young one in your family? This is the day you can get close to them. Pick out a favorite book and read to the children for 20 minutes. Ask them questions later to tickle their imagination. Spread awareness regarding the several benefits of reading. Start by posting on social media or host a webinar that explains all the advantages of reading.

Emma Mactaggart, the founder of International Read to Me Day, said: “It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a child to inspire a village.”