Download file 393 KB Texto completo en español More of: Bárbara  Eyzaguirre Loreto  Fontaine C.

This work analyzes the value of reading to the intellectual and moral development of youths and underlines the overall effect that learning to be a reader has on underprivileged children. The authors say, in this perspective, that it is especially important for children to be taught to read effectively at an early age. They hold that public literacy policies must take into account that learning a basic decodification no longer suffices in modern society. Readers must handle more complex skills. The more advanced stages of the schooling process also require more advanced reading skills. These competencies entail using reading to learn and, therefore, they imply the skill of extracting information, interpreting and evaluating texts. Full development of those competencies means passing through several stages that require the school to provide abundant practice and ample experience in reading in different contexts for different purposes.