the Most Vital Aspect of Your Education

Some great writers had access to little or no formal education. Herman Melville educated himself by reading, and Samuel Clemens left school at age thirteen. Louis L'Amour, famed writer of westerns, dropped out of high school and read great books as he traveled the planet. Hans Christian Anderson was self-taught by following the example of his self-educated father. Poet, Carl Sandburg, dropped out of school at age thirteen and Elizabeth Barrett Browning educated herself by reading literary classics and Shakespeare. Scientist and children's author, Beatrix Potter, never attended school.Some national leaders had access to very little formal schooling. George Washington, Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and U.S. President for two terms had little, if any, formal education. Abraham Lincoln enjoyed less than a year of schooling. And Abigail Adams, wife of second president, Samuel Adams, (and one of the more literate Americans of her time), was tutored by her grandmother and encouraged to read.Florence Nightingale, pioneer in nursing and hospital care, read widely and was tutored by her father. Colonel Sanders, of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, dropped out of school in the sixth grade. Thomas Edison was considered by some teachers as too stupid for school and was taught by his mother at home. 

And both Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were college drop-outs.So, I ask you, why is reading so important? 1) All the knowledge necessary for life and for success is available. It's availability becomes mind-blowing when you realize that with the click of a button the billions of pages of the internet can identify exactly what knowledge you are searching for. 2) Step-by-step how-to manuals and instructors are easy to access, making almost any job possible. 3) If you want to learn to write well, there are now hundreds of books available that coach you in the finer points of writing in any genre imaginable. 4) If you need motivation and inspiration, there are books that can help you keep going when every atom of your being cries out that you cannot succeed in your goals. 5) If you're tired of mind-numbing TV shows that always seem to end up the same way, turn to the millions of books available for enjoyment and entertainment.Of course, this article encourages formal schooling for every child; it's available and vital for all nowadays! 

But if your children or students seem to be indifferent to reading or even hate it, there are ways to change that. Expose the children to a book that matches one of their interests, and you will see dull eyes light up. They will go after books of that sort. If you have to whet their appetites with read-alouds, you will know you've struck a winner when they ask you to read just one more chapter. We must assist children today in spending their multitudes of free hours doing things besides TV and video games. Find the books that will turn your kids on to a lifetime of reading!Steve Fortosis has a Ph.D. and is professional writer and free lance editor. He helps writers get their stuff edited and published. One of Steve's most important causes is child literacy. His website is dedicated to helping children learn and love to read.