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My daughter is seven, and some of the other second-grade…

“My daughter is seven, and some of the other second-grade parents complain that their children don't read for pleasure. When I visit their homes, the children's rooms are crammed with expensive books, but the parent's rooms are empty. Those children do not see their parents reading, as I did every…” quote by Anne Fadiman
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“My daughter is seven, and some of the other second-grade parents complain that their children don't read for pleasure. When I visit their homes, the children's rooms are crammed with expensive books, but the parent's rooms are empty. Those children do not see their parents reading, as I did every day of my childhood. By contrast, when I walk into an apartment with books on the shelves, books on the bedside tables, books on the floor, and books on the toilet tank, then I know what I would see if I opened the door that says 'PRIVATE--GROWNUPS KEEP OUT': a child sprawled on the bed, reading.”

Anne Fadiman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

She observes that children who see books everywhere at home are more likely to read for pleasure, highlighting the impact of parental reading habits.

In simple terms: Kids read more when they see parents reading.

Key Takeaway

Model reading to inspire kids.

Themes

family reading education

Mood

thoughtful concerned

Type

reflective educational

When to use this quote

  • home libraries
  • parental habits
  • child reading motivation
  • educational settings

Key Concepts

literacy role modeling environmental influence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can families create reading-friendly spaces?
  • What barriers prevent parents from reading aloud?
A Different Perspective

Parents may lack time or interest to model reading.

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