A Relationship With Literacy

As I’ve matured, it’s interesting to reflect on my own relationship with literacy—a relationship that has had its ups, downs, and everything in between.

As a child, I didn’t love reading. My thoughts would often wander, and I couldn’t understand how a sedentary activity could bring excitement. It wasn’t until late in high school, when I discovered A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, that everything changed. For about two weeks, this book and I had a standing date every day after school. It was then that I began to understand the power of reading for my mental, physical, and socio-emotional health. It was then that I finally felt connected to literature.

As a writer, my journey followed a similar path. In fifth grade, I had a teacher who tapped into my creativity and gave me the space to explore its potential. But after that, I encountered several teachers who didn’t prioritize such opportunities, which caused my relationship with writing to ebb and flow.

In a sense, my relationship with literacy has been “on-again, off-again.” There have been periods of endless curiosity—exploring new authors, joining book clubs, and attending writers’ groups. But there have also been times when I felt I needed to prioritize other pursuits, like going to the gym or spending time outdoors.

When it comes to your children, the key is to always encourage a relationship with literacy, no matter what form it takes. By modeling your own engagement with literacy—whether it’s falling in love with a steamy romance novel, taking the time to write a heartfelt note to a friend, or sharing something incredible you recently learned from a memoir—you can show your children how literacy can provide healing, entertainment, and pure joy.

Guest Blog Post by Lauren Cantor, LJC Learning, LLC