Mother Interview
What is your definition of the word literacy?
I would assume that literacy is being able to read and comprehend what you read.
Describe your experience of learning how to read and/or write in school.
I can’t remember a lot about the process of learning to read, but I do remember the books—Dick and Jane and their adventures and I remember construction paper bookmarks that denoted the reading group you were in–the redbirds, the bluebirds. I can remember wanting desperately to be in the high group, and I was, but I don’t remember a lot about the learning process. Writing I remember more maybe in 2nd or 3rd grade, learning cursive writing. That was a challenge and it make me feel so big and I wanted my letters to be perfect.
Who or what most influenced you to read/write?
Probably my teachers and my mother.
Describe any obstacles you may have faced in order to read/write or gain education in some way.
My teacher discovered in 1st grade that I needed glasses. That was probably a hinderance to my reading until I got them. I’ve never been a very fast silent reader, and I think that has hindered me and discouraged me. I am left-handed, so that probably played a part in my learning how to write. Neither of my parents attended college, so when I was college-aged, that wasn’t necessarily encouraged and it probably hindered me from seeking it at that time.
If you attended college, in what ways did it affect your life? If you did not attend college, in what ways do you think it might have affected your life?
It effected my life positively. I have more self-esteem because of what I’ve accomplished by attending college. It’s opened up a world of learning I had never delved into before. I feel like I will probably be a lifetime learner now, continuing slowly but surely with higher education. Having gone as a much older adult, I think I have valued the experience much more than many young people.
In what ways have your reading habits and practices changed over time?
As I have grown my reading interests have probably expanded. I understand the value of learning, which comes through reading. I’ve never been what I consider an avid reader. When I was younger I only read what was required for school, very little reading for pleasure. Probably the main focus for reading through my lifetime has been the bible or books/articles related to it. I do enjoy reading when I take the time for it. I normally read shorter pieces like newspapers, magazines, small books and take-home papers from church. I know there’s a lot more pleasure out there in reading by taking the time to do it. When I entered college, there was a lot of required reading that I wasn’t used to and even though i dreaded tearing into it, i oftentimes really enjoyed the topics like economics and history. i found myself really enjoying those.
Can you give me some specific examples of ways reading has helped you in your life?
Reading is vital to everyone’s life. I can’t imagine not being able to read. What could a person do if they couldn’t read? How would they get by in the world. Reading has helped me grow as a person, raise a family, get an education, to be a working part of society, it has allowed me to experience God.
Describe a time from your life where you didn’t have access to reading materials you wanted/needed?
There have been plenty of quick times when I wished I had something to read, when I’ve been in the car or sitting in a waiting room or at a campsite and didn’t have the days newspaper yet. There have been times when I’ve read a good book and didn’t want it to end, maybe there was no sequel. I wanted more, but I didn’t have access to it.
What sort of reading and writing do you do presently?
Mainly my reading now involves the bible, devotion books, take-home papers, the newspaper, and whatever required reading is required for the college course I am taking at the time. I also enjoy magazines, cookbooks.
If you had to categorize the materials that you read, what categories would exist in your life (e.g. business, academic, religious, etc.)?
religious, academic, informational (cookbooks), craft books (d0 it yourself)
In what ways have you influenced other people in terms of their reading and writing?
I hope I influenced my daughters by reading with them and being certain they did their homework and their required reading. And I hope my life is proof of my bible reading by example. I hope I have influenced my sunday school class and my girl scouts over the years. I’ve always enjoyed small children, hopefully reading together was an influence in their life. Like, my nephew Wade and I have been reading Gregory the Terrible Eater.
