Parenting: Raise your child to be a reader
Jul 12, 2011
As reading and writing are a basis for all learning, it is important that your child gets quality time with you in developing the two aspects.
As reading and writing are a basis for all learning, it is important that your child gets quality time with you in developing the two aspects.
Wouldn’t it be exciting to find your child reading and writing for pleasure and not just to pass examinations? It can happen by talking, singing, playing with and reading for or with your child.
Readers and writers begin at home. Talk to your baby even the unborn in the womb. Babies love hearing language. Coo or babble when you talk or sing to them and soon they will enter into an interaction with you which marks the beginning of conversation.
Margaret Grant, in her book, School Methods with Young Children, says a child needs language stimulation at home and that talking to children, telling them what is happening, asking questions and encouraging children to tell adults what they see and do together brings about their intellectual development.
Talk as you do simple everyday things together like bathing, eating, walking, and watching TV.
Expand on what the child speaks. If the child says: “cupâ€, you might say: ‘Do you want tea in your cup?’
Recite nursery rhymes, songs and do games. Ask any teacher for help if need be.
Read or retell an interesting story. When you read and how you read it matters a lot.
Read with expressions and use different voices and tones for the characters if they are to retain their children’s enthusiasm.
If you have more than one child, spend time reading with each child separately, especially if they are more than two years apart.
However, with pressure from work, spending time with both children than failing to get separate time for each is worthwhile.
Describe the child’s activities, for example you are sitting on a mat, you are eating rice. This description helps to extend their utterances
Availing a slate and chalk or book and pencil can help a child to scribble/draw anything of interest when time comes for him to do so.
This work can be hanged up on a chair, wall or fridge to make him or her proud of the achievement.
Wouldn’t it be exciting to find your child reading and writing for pleasure and not just to pass examinations? It can happen by talking, singing, playing with and reading for or with your child.
Readers and writers begin at home. Talk to your baby even the unborn in the womb. Babies love hearing language. Coo or babble when you talk or sing to them and soon they will enter into an interaction with you which marks the beginning of conversation.
Margaret Grant, in her book, School Methods with Young Children, says a child needs language stimulation at home and that talking to children, telling them what is happening, asking questions and encouraging children to tell adults what they see and do together brings about their intellectual development.
Talk as you do simple everyday things together like bathing, eating, walking, and watching TV.
Expand on what the child speaks. If the child says: “cupâ€, you might say: ‘Do you want tea in your cup?’
Recite nursery rhymes, songs and do games. Ask any teacher for help if need be.
Read or retell an interesting story. When you read and how you read it matters a lot.
Read with expressions and use different voices and tones for the characters if they are to retain their children’s enthusiasm.
If you have more than one child, spend time reading with each child separately, especially if they are more than two years apart.
However, with pressure from work, spending time with both children than failing to get separate time for each is worthwhile.
Describe the child’s activities, for example you are sitting on a mat, you are eating rice. This description helps to extend their utterances
Availing a slate and chalk or book and pencil can help a child to scribble/draw anything of interest when time comes for him to do so.
This work can be hanged up on a chair, wall or fridge to make him or her proud of the achievement.