Home libraries can keep children occupied this holiday

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Libraries are some of the best places where children can keep busy.

Lilian Tibasiima and her husband are intentional about raising their 11-year-old daughter, Esther Murungi, off the Internet.

They engage her more in chores and reading. And for that, they turned their garage into a well-equipped library for her.

After chores and breakfast, Murungi is in her library where she reads, colours and enjoys card games with her 15-year-old cousin.

“We have plenty of books, games and puzzles,” Tibasiima says.

The couple also plans to open the library to the community so that other children can also benefit. 

“I engage her in spelling exercises, Bible puzzles or colouring. We compete, and I put the drawings on my status, and people choose the winner, but Esther always wins,” Tibasiima says.

Murungi has also authored three books, and she recently won the national Bible Quiz competition, where she was crowned Bible Queen. Tibasiima attributes this milestone to the activities Murungi engages in while inside her library.

When she gets bored of the puzzles and readers, she switches to cards that have mathematics, English and science content.

Recently, Tibasiima bought her five Christmas activity books, which Murungi is using to create Christmas recipes and decorations.

Last year, she used such books to prepare meals for the family. She also decorated the Christmas tree using her own decorations. Every Wednesday, the couple buys a copy of New Vision partly to get Toto magazine for Murungi, an ardent reader.

“She participates in all the activities therein; the puzzles, paintings and quiz,” she says.