Don't you love it when the President talks about the importance of reading aloud?

Matt Ferraguto, Director of Communications for Reach Out and Read, sent me this:

PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEAKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF READING ALOUD TO CHILDREN!

In President Obama's Address last night to the Congress and the Nation, he specifically cited the importance of encouraging parents to read aloud to their children.  Here is the relevant passage:

OBAMA: These education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children, but it is up to us to ensure they walk through them.

In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent, for a mother or father who will attend those parent-teacher conferences, or help with homework, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child.

(APPLAUSE)

I speak to you not just as a president, but as a father when I say that responsibility for our children's education must begin at home. That is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. That's an American issue.

Link to transcript

How great is that? And right on the eve of the announcement of the Share A Story - Shape a Future Literacy Blog Tour, too. Maybe we should have asked President Obama to guest post on this topic. Though I wouldn't want to cut into his time spent reading with his kids...

Many thanks for sharing this, Matt!

 

Comments

[Lesa Holstine]

Yes, I do love it, Jen. And, it's known that he and Malia read the Harry Potter books together. I have a pillow that my mother says. It's adapted from a poem that says mother, but she changed it. It has a picture of my Dad reading to me as a little girl, and says, "Richer than you I'll always be. I had a father who read to me."

I do love it when the President speaks up about the importance of reading to children. And, when he and Michelle show up at schools and demonstrate it by reading to them. It's wonderful.

[beth kephart]

It made me enormously happy as well — a father talking about what matters at home.

[Jen Robinson]

That's a great pillow, Lesa. I have pictures of my dad reading to me, too (I think my mom usually took the pictures, and I know that she's the one who took me to libraries and bookstores, and so on, too).

Anyway, agreed Lesa and Beth, that the President and Mrs. Obama both showing, through their actions, the importance of reading is huge. It's a good day!

[Amy @ My Friend Amy]

I gave a big holler on Twitter when I heard that! :) Now that's the way to my heart...awesome about the blog tour, as well!!! kudos on that.

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks, Amy! It's all pretty exciting stuff. And just so great to keep hearing from kindred spirits like you about it.

[Chris Barton]

For those of us who do regularly read to our kids, it's so easy to take for granted that all parents do the same (and that we ourselves are doing all we can) -- so, I'm thankful for you and Obama alike keeping the importance of reading aloud on our minds. Keep up the great work!

[Mary Lee]

YAY, Obama!

[Stacy Nyikos]

It is great to have a president who is a young parent. These issues are ones he not only has an opinion on, but has to deal with himself on a daily basis. There's nothing like experience to drive an idea home.

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks, Chris! I don't think I've ever been referred to in a sentence with a President before ("you and Obama alike"). But it is very nice to think that what I'm doing can make a bit of a difference.

And, Stacy and Mary Lee ... I agree.

[Jen Robinson]

Just making a test comment, after reports of some potential commenting issues.

[Susan Stephenson]

More positive energy around Share a Story! If it's good enough for the President of the United States ...

[Amy @ Literacy Launchpad]

I was twittering about this very thing during his speech! :)

[Jules]

I heard that, too, and I CHEERED! Yay!

[Jen Robinson]

Definitely positive energy around this, Susan and Amy! The tour is going to be amazing.

Jules, I can hear you cheering from here, I think... It was a good evening for fans of children's literacy, for sure.