Reading
is a fundamental part of your child's education,
and children who learn to read from an early age
are generally more successful in academic areas.
But how can you fuel your child's interest in this
enriching hobby?
By
helping a child develop a reading habit, you can
instil in him a love of books that will last him
a lifetime, and which will bring him wonder, joy
and knowledge.
Also,
when parents engage in quality time reading together
with a child, that child will feel special and cherished.
However, reading to your children can do more than
simply help them excel at school.
A
good time to start reading to your child is when
he is old enough to sit with you and listen to you
read. The average age for this is three years.
Having
said that, even infants can benefit from being read
to – they love to hear their parent's voices, and
will embrace reading as part of their daily routines
if read to regularly.
Tips
For Preschoolers
Even if they cannot yet read on their own, toddlers
and preschoolers can get a headstart
on the road to reading if you provide some assistance
and motivation.
Here
are a few tried-and-tested techniques to help get
you started:
Before reading a book to your child, read it through
once yourself to identify areas you might want to
concentrate on.
Point
at each word with your finger as you read, and encourage
your child to follow along. Even before your child
can read, they can be highly stimulated by the pictures
they see in books.
A child's attention span tends to be rather short,
so choose simple books with plenty of colourful
pictures.
If
you are concerned about little hands tearing and
smudging books, buy sturdy toddler board books that
can withstand some 'abuse'.
Parents who show that that they enjoy and benefit
from reading will set good examples to their children.
Children
are constantly imitating adults, so if you make
reading out to be a fun and enjoyable activity,
it is likely that your child will as well.
Make reading a treat instead of a chore! Don't just
read to your child at bedtime - read to him throughout
the day or whenever time allows.
Show
enthusiasm and excitement, and vary your reading
tone to give characters different voices. Make your
own puppets out of household items to use when reading.
Involve your child in the reading process. Let him
turn the pages of the book, and give him adequate
time to look at the pictures and ask questions.
If
your child has developed an adequate level of reading
comprehension, ask him simple questions about the
story after each reading session.
Most children will have 'favourites'. Read your
child's favourite books often, and make them available
to your child at all times by placing them on a
shelf within easy reach. This allows your child
to look at his favourites whenever he desires.
All children have an innate desire to communicate.
Write simple notes and letters to your child, and
encourage him to do the same to you.
For
children who have yet to master reading and writing,
simply let them 'read' you their mental notes, and
then read your notes to them.
Visit to your local library regularly, and engage
the help of the children's librarian to assist your
child in choosing books that are appropriate for
his age group.
When
he is old enough, obtain a library card for your
child. This will help him acquire a sense of responsibility
alongside an interest of reading.
Tips
For School-Aged Children
As your child matures, look for books on subjects
relevant to his growing experiences and increasing
knowledge.
The
most important thing to do is support your child's
interests. Choose books on topics that he is attracted
to, but at the same time, make efforts to introduce
new subjects.
Your child's reading level will advance as he moves
along the academic path, so encourage him to read
to you, instead of you always
reading to him.
Help
him with words he finds difficult to pronounce,
and explain the meanings behind words that he has
yet learned to understand.
Role-playing the characters of a story really serves
to bring the story alive, so do engage in role-playing
sessions.
You
can even put up a mini-play that involves other
family members, and put on a show for friends and
relatives when they visit.
Your child should now understand that reading can
serve different purposes. Point out the differences
between reading for pleasure and reading for information,
so that your child can begin to adopt different
reading techniques to suit his needs.
Put up a book review board in your home, where each
member of the family writes down thoughts and opinions
about the book he or she is currently reading.
This
gives your children an opportunity to share their
enjoyment of their favourite books with others.
Give your child rewards and presents in the form
of books. This will increase your child's appreciation
for books, and help him to positively associate
books with delightful occasions.
A trip
to a bookstore to select and buy a new book makes
a wonderful treat for a child.
By
making reading fun, and keeping your child's reading
experiences positive, you can nurture a child to
grow into an avid reader, and one who views reading
as an enjoyable pastime.
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