Books are the calmest and most constant friends; they are the most approachable and wise counselors, and the most patient teachers. ~Charles W Eliot
Charles Eliot was right on the facts. Anyone who has made friends with the written word will never feel alone. All book lovers know that they can live several lives, travel to countless places, and do countless things through their books. You may see another person’s perspective and discover that you are not the absolute authority on the subject.
Today our classrooms have been invaded by television and the computer. Children spend all their free time attached to any of them.
Books teach children a lot. They expand their vocabulary, helping them later in life. Language proficiency increases many times. It gives a boost to the child’s imagination, allowing the mind to reach the unthinkable and increasing creativity. Reading about many things greatly improves 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.
Parents get 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 whole lot of love, parents can introduce good reading habits into their children.
Set a time for reading
Keep about half an hour each day set aside as reading time. This can be right before bed or at any other mutually agreeable time. Initially let them read the books that you told them as children. The plot 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 early, 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. Little by little I moved from this storytelling to reading stories.
small steps
Parents must be realistic in their expectations. Do not think that the child will launch into reading the first time he gets his hands on the book. The first few times they may fail with the pronunciation. Correct them gently. They can even read the whole page without understanding a word. Moment 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 children will also find reading together great fun.
Get books on topics of interest
If the child is a big Pooh fan, 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 of 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 must be at a level understandable to your child. Books that are too easy or too difficult distract children very easily.
install aids
There are many supports that parents can use to encourage reading. Set up a bulletin board and post cartoons with funny comments. Put a little limerick or poetry for your child to read. You can also get an audiobook set. This one has a story 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 bedroom. Use the abundance of words that float around us. Point out the words on the billboards along the way. Have the child read the credits on the movie poster. Counting newspaper headlines is a very good way to learn. While waiting for the doctor to arrive, they can read the brochures. At the restaurant, let them read the menu and decide on the order. Ask them to unscramble the instructions for the new game.
Do not push
Try all this in a very informal way. If the child has the feeling that he is being pushed towards reading, he will stop like an inflexible horse. It should all look like a tremendously interesting game. Remember Tom Sawyer! Let’s say, for example, while you’re waiting for the doctor, don’t push the pamphlet into the children’s hand and have her read it too. Instead, say very, very casually (a bored voice is a must): “There are four words that start with ch in this booklet.” Immediately the child will try to figure out the fact for himself and find a few more words to start with.
These techniques are just general aids to help children read more. As a parent, you must be enthusiastic about your new activity. Correct them gently, when they are wrong. Show enthusiasm and appreciation when the child wants to read. It’s a good idea to buy books as gifts and incentives. 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, be sure to take it to see it.
Don’t force, guide. As soon as the child learns that he HAS to read, it becomes another subject of study, a tedious chore. Reading should be introduced as a delightful pastime and not as a rigorous punishment.
So go ahead and introduce your children to the written word and they will never feel alone again.
