Discuss why it is important for students to become engaged readers at an early age and what role teachers play in facilitating engagement and motivation

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Reading is more than a cognitive process; it is becoming engaged in a text. When engaged, the reader is deeply involved, captivated, absorbed, and immersed in text. With this in mind, teachers must focus their attention not only on how students read, but also why. Reading engagement involves the cognitive, motivational, and social dimensions of reading and instruction. It can occur at all levels of development, frequently with younger age predicting achievement at an older age. The engaged reader is capable of overcoming obstacles of low parent education and income, as well as preferences and abilities associated with gender. Engaged readers are involved, interested, and constantly learning from their text. A child who is engaged in reading employs both mind and heart, and is on the way to becoming a lifelong learner.
Motivation is a critical factor of engagement. As motivation increases, students want to spend more time reading. Therefore, motivation plays a dual role; it becomes a part of both the process and the product of engagement. Teachers can create supportive, nurturing environments that encourage reading engagement by providing appropriate literature experiences that support all students' reading levels, interests, and instructional needs.