Rebecca Dow, a house representative from New Mexico, said that parents can enhance their children's education and social skills by reading aloud together for 15 minutes daily. The statement was made on the social media platform X.
"Parents- it takes just 15 minutes a day to solidifying your child's success in school and to develop critical bonding and social skills," said Dow. "Read aloud 15 minutes a day!"
According to the New Mexico Public Education Department's news releases, New Mexico is promoting daily reading and parental involvement through the PED’s "Level Up Reading Challenge" for 2024–25 and related literacy efforts. The state's framework emphasizes family engagement as part of its science-of-reading initiative.
In 2024, only 20% of New Mexico fourth-graders scored at or above NAEP Proficient in reading, with the state’s average score being 201 compared to the national average of 214. This information comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ state snapshot. These results were not significantly different from those in 2022 and indicate that less than half of students are performing at the Basic level.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has highlighted that daily reading with young children supports language, cognitive, and social-emotional development. According to their 2024 technical report in Pediatrics, pediatric practices should promote literacy from birth. The AAP states that shared reading strengthens attachment and improves school readiness.
Dow is a Republican representing New Mexico House District 38, having served from 2016–2022 and again from 2025 to the present. According to the official New Mexico Legislature page, she serves on House Appropriations & Finance and Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements committees. Her occupation is listed as CEO/Educator, reflecting her focus on education and family policy.
