The article on Hawaii’s poor ranking in a national study on children’s well-being highlights the inverse relationship between economic well-being and preparedness for education (“Isles stagnate in well-being for children, report finds,” Star-Advertiser, June 17).

One way to counter this inequity is to encourage children’s love of reading by reading aloud to them. Local nonprofits like Read To Me International offer support to busy parents with free programs to help families engage in reading together.

While success in school involves many complex psychosocial and economic factors, reading a picture book aloud for just 10 minutes a day can help transform a preschooler into a curious, self-motivated reader while at the same time promote family dialogue and well-being. I can personally attest to this.

Helen Takeuchi

Makakilo

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