Books are the calmest and most constant friends; they are the most accessible and wise counselors, and the most patient teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot
Charles Eliot was factually correct. Anyone who has made friends with the written word will never feel alone. All book lovers know that they can live many lives, travel to countless places, and do countless things through their books. You may see someone else’s perspective and discover that you are not the absolute authority on the subject.
Today our living rooms have been invaded by television and computers. Children spend all their free time glued to any one of them.
Books teach children a lot. They expand their vocabulary, helping them later in life. Language proficiency increases many times. Gives a boost to the child’s imagination, letting the mind reach the unthinkable and increasing creativity. Reading about many things greatly enhances a child’s store of knowledge. Let’s say, for example, that he learns more about Africa from reading an interesting story than from dry textbooks.
The parents are desperate, trying to introduce them to the wonderful world of books. However, all is not lost with a thimble of common sense, a little patience and a lot of love, parents can instill good reading habits in their children.
Set a time for reading
Keep about half an hour a day set aside as reading time. This can be right before bed or any other time that is right for both of you. Initially let them read the books you had told them about as children. The argument will be familiar to them and it will be easy for them to choose the words.
start young
Interest in books cannot be generated overnight. It is a slow process where the child learns to fall in love with the enchanted world of the written world. If the habit of reading is instilled as early as possible, it will develop slowly as the child grows. Parents have to start as soon as the child is able to understand. Read stories to your two-year-old. Gradually move from this storytelling to storytelling.
small steps
Parents must be realistic in their expectations. Do not think that the child will launch into reading the first time he has the book in his hands. The first few times they may fail with pronunciation. Gently correct them. They can even read the entire page without understanding a word. Time to explain the whole book to them, put their brains to work. Ask easy questions about the story. Over time, they will learn to decipher books.
Read
It is very important to teach children by example. Make sure the children see you read. If you read books, your children will automatically do the same. It is very difficult to convince a child to read a lot if the parents never pick up a book. Not only will it be an inspiration, but the children will also find reading together a lot of fun.
Get books on topics of interest
If the child is a big fan of Pooh, get some books about that character. The markets abound with a variety of things related to cartoons. Do a little market survey and get the books on the particular character. Make sure the books are colorful and picturesque. The print should be large as reading small print can be slow. Check the books before you buy. The words should be at an understandable level for your child. Books that are too easy or too difficult distract children very easily.
install aids
There are many support aids that parents can use to encourage reading. Set up a bulletin board and post cartoons with funny comments. Put a little limerick or poetry on it for your child to read. You can also get a set of audiobooks. This one has a story recorded on tape along with the printed book. Children can pick up the nuances of pronunciation as they read. Put notes in the Tiffin box. Get vocabulary building games on the computer.
Universal reading time
Don’t limit reading to the confines of your room. Use the abundance of words that float around us. Point out the words on the billboards along the way. Ask the child to read the credits on the movie poster. Counting newspaper headlines is a great way to learn. While you wait for the doctor to arrive, you can read the brochures. At the restaurant, let them read the menu and decide on the order. Ask them to figure out the instructions for the new game.
Do not push
Try all this in a very casual way. If the child gets the feeling that he is being pushed into reading, he will stall like an unyielding horse. It should all look like a tremendously interesting game. Remember Tom Sawyer! Let’s say, for example, while waiting for the doctor, do not push the booklet into the children’s hand and order her to read it too. Instead, say very, very casually (a bored voice is a must): “There are four words that start with ch in this brochure.” Immediately, the child will try to discover the fact for himself and find some more words to start with.
These techniques are just general aids to help children read more. As a parent, you should be enthusiastic about your new activity. Correct them gently, when they are wrong. Show enthusiasm and appreciation when the child wants to read. It is a good idea to buy books as a gift and incentive. Discuss the book the child just read. Talk about your favorite character in the book. If there is a movie made about the particular book, make sure you take her to see it.
Do not force, guide. As soon as the child learns that he HAS to read, it becomes another subject of study, a tedious task. Reading should be introduced as a delightful pastime and not as a harsh punishment.
So go ahead and introduce your kids to the written word and they’ll never feel alone again.
