Inspiration
Introduce your child to the wonderland of books
Reading has the potential to open the portals of a wonderful world for children. Here are some tips that can help you encourage your child to pick up a book.
As parents we always want the best for our children, be it grades or extra curriculars or all round personality development. The key to all this definitely lies in reading to an extent. It is important to inculcate a healthy reading habit in our children as early as possible. However, it is absolutely imperative that we acknowledge the fact that we can never force them to read something which they don’t like. For example if a child is interested in reading ghost stories probably one should never force him or her to read science fictions.
Secondly, make books more accessible to your children. When children find something colorful lying around and within their reach they would definitely like to open it. And once opened there’s no looking back. They might not generate an interest instantly, it might take them a day or two but then the result would be positive.
Thirdly, many a times children like to involve their parents too. If they do, then show genuine enthusiasm and don’t abstain yourself by passing statements like “we are tired and maybe we’ll read out to you tomorrow”. This uninterest shown by you might make them think that this task is probably not important or holds no value and they might not even ask you later.
Next, try and set an example before them. They are real good observers. Take a comfy seat anywhere in your house where your child can see you and read whatever you are fond of. It can be a magazine, a cookbook or a business magazine or a novel. Your child will just find out what their interest lies in and probably they’ll do the same. Maybe sooner or later you find them in your comfy chair reading or skimming through a book/magazine of their choice.
Take them to places which are conducive to reading like a library or a book store. These places have separate and attractive spots for kids and no kid can escape that. Take a cue from the books your child has picked up and you’ll be aware of their likes. Try and buy them a book every now and then.
Last but not the least, read out to them even if they want the same story to be read out again and again. Don’t be agitated! It’s only that they find it interesting and may be they find something new every time they listen to it.
So play the role of a patient mentor in your child’s life. Read out to her. Fix up a reading time followed by a healthy discussion about what she read or what did she find interesting in it. Soon the change will follow. And you’ll be one leading your precious one into a world full of vivid imagination and what not.
The author Dr. Pooja Singh is the principal of St. Edmunds School, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur