Do You Read Bedtime Stories to Your Kids, Clawson?

A new study finds only one in three parents reads bedtime stories with their children every night.

The statistic was among the data released earlier this month from a survey commissioned by Reading Is Fundamental and Macy's to launch the annual Be Book Smart campaign from June 21 to July 21 to support children's literacy.

The response to a query on the Clawson Patch Facebook page about whether parents read to their kids on a nightly basis was a resounding yes.

MarkandKimberly Middlewood: We always did, it was part of bedtime. It's a special time that not only quiets your child but can be calming for you too. It makes memories.

Theresa Gramer Love: Always. Helps them expand their vocabulary and builds a love of reading and learning.

Laura Slowinski: We still do, at night and several times of the day because both of our girls love stories. We started just before they were born and still love reading and talking about what we've read. A conversation starter if you will. Now they are learning to read themselves and its amazing how they pick up voice inflection, and different sounds. We plan to read to them as long as they let us! Lots of giggly moments and fun memories!

Megan M. Seipke-Dame: I read to my girl every day and every night! Not only is that the best bonding time, but it builds a love of reading!

The nationwide survey of more than 1,000 parents with children age 8 or younger conducted in April by Harris Interactive for RIF and Macy's also found the following.

• Eighty-seven percent of parents read bedtime stories to their children, although not necessarily on a nightly basis.
• Fifty percent of parents say their children spend more time with television or video games than with books.
• Twice as many children prefer a printed book (20 percent) over an e-book (9 percent), say parents who read both types of books to their children.
• Children who don't read well by the end of the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers, according to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Click here for more information about the Be Book Smart campaign.