Sharing Good Practice
Cultivating lifelong
reading habits
By Rahima Jabeen
W
ith the increase in trendy
gadgets, that we see
in almost every child’s
hands these days, there
is no doubt that reading a good
old-fashioned book is becoming
less popular. Despite this, teachers
can guide parents in making a few
adjustments at home to encourage
their children into taking an avid
interest in reading.
Wouldn’t it be great if parents talked
about plots and characters instead of
idle gossip? Wouldn’t it be amazing if
parents could manage to bribe kids
with books, or offer a new book as a
reward instead of the usual things?
Grown-ups need to show that reading
is fun, pleasurable and a source of joy,
not a source stress or boredom.
Here are a few pointers.
Children, like adults, have their own
preferences. Even if parents do
somehow coax their child into the
bookstore/library, (yes, they still exist),
they mostly make the choice of picking
out books themselves. Sometimes,
parents even criticize the books that
their child excitedly runs to them with.
When this happens, their desire to
read is squashed. Let them pick out
age appropriate books, and as long
as they are not offensive and indecent,
let them read.
Show interest
Children often look to their parents for
inspiration. They mimic them and pick
up on their habits. ‘The apple doesn’t
fall far from the tree’ and ‘chip of the
old block’ are profound truths. When
a parent has no interest in reading,
how does a child form good reading
habits?
Associate reading with
pleasure
Often children are made to read in
order to write the book report due
the next day, or they are forced to
open a textbook to prepare for the
impending and dreaded exam. This
makes them relate the entire reading
experience to stress. Inevitably, the
sight of a book just puts them ‘off’.
Offering choice
Reading environment
Those of us who take pleasure in
reading and read to ‘get away from
it all’, know the intricate relationship
that a book, a hot beverage and our
favourite reading spot, have. Children
should be given the same ambiance.
They should have a nifty little shelf
or box from which to choose, and a
comfy well lit place to relax and read.
A throw over, a couple of good book
marks, the promise of more books
if they finish the ones they have, can
dramatically enhance their reading
experience.
Follow up
It is human nature to try to find
connections with others. Bonding
over books is a great way to derive
maximum benefit, a two for one kind of
deal in engaging the child, and having
a meaningful discussion. Over time,
the child will enjoy expressing his or
her views, ask opinionated questions
and simply be more open to talking
about things.
Reading is an acquired skill, but
it can be cultivated and nurtured
more successfully when the will and
motivation blossom within the child.
As teachers, we can educate parents
about their immense influence in
their children’s lives. Tapping into
this underutilized resource will
undoubtedly make life easier for
teachers and ultimately benefit the
child in his or her future in all areas of
life.
Miss Rahima Jabeen is a primary grade
school teacher who has taught in Pakistan
and Dubai.
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Mar - Apr 2016
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