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Give them a book

Get your child to read, and give him access to an altogether different dimension

PHOTO: V. GANESAN

MAGICAL WORLD Books open up a world of fantasy, interaction, knowledge, creativity and diversity

Let's face it: some kids just hate to read. You could be one among those parents who find themselves telling their child, "When I was your age I spent a lot more time reading." Does it take a character like Harry Potter to get your child to get behind that book? How many times have you wished your child read more frequently? Does he take to reading naturally or does he restrict his reading to his schoolwork? In this age of computers and competition, your child could be missing out on a continent of experience. You may find that he does not read as many books as children used to a decade ago.

What people say

Most of us have good memories of our early reading. It begins with listening to stories, then getting our parent or caregiver read and finally moving on to self-reading for enjoyment. "I grew up among books and I want my children to enjoy reading. So I buy a book for them whenever I come across a good one," says Ranjani, "but they don't seem to have the interest. The book becomes just another addition to their collection."

Ranjani is not alone. Some parents do not have the time to spend with their child and lead them through the world of print. There are others who do but the children are faced with too many distractions. When asked about the reading habits of her children, one parent said: "Oh, my children don't read."

Strange, to get a reply like that in today's world with cutthroat competition which places great value on multiple intelligence quotients. It seems quite ironic though to hear the most common hobby mentioned by children is reading. Is it that the skill of reading is taken so much for granted that one does not realise its importance? "My son loves to read. But he has to go for his advanced math class every evening and his basketball coaching every weekend. He has no time," says Anjali, a mother of a 12-year-old.

World of fantasy

Books open up a world of fantasy, interaction, knowledge and creativity, weaving diversity into the fabric of children's everyday lives. It is interesting to note that the process of reading, which involves an understanding of stories, print, and how books work, begins as early as in the first year of life. It's the initiation your child has been given that determines how much he enjoys it. There are so many activities one can do to encourage children to read. Here are some ways you can make reading fun for your child and you:

When out on a drive, read aloud billboards, road signs and other interesting signs. Play a game of "I Spy" to find letters on a licence plate. This can even turn out to be fun when on a school trip.

If you cook with your child, read aloud the ingredients, measurements, and steps in the recipe as you cook. This initiates them to reading and following instructions in a systematic manner.

Cut short TV watching time and read a tale of adventure instead. Reading helps build his imagination.

The next time you set out on a trip or a picnic, don't forget to carry a book along with the basket of goodies. A book can even be good way to spend time if you have a long wait someplace or on a rainy day.

If you are too tired to read out aloud, sit together with your child and listen to a story on tape. Turning pages to follow the story can be great fun.

Surprise your child by bringing home an interesting comic strip from the local paper or a new word on a greeting card. Make this a ritual your child looks forward to.

Introduce your child to the local or school library or encourage him to join you when you visit the library. You can also subscribe to children's magazines or newspapers and encourage him to contribute. Seeing their work in print can boost their confidence.

Spending just a few minutes each day just reading together can go a long way in building up the skill and interest for the printed word.

Says Anita, a primary school teacher: "The ability to read is essential to being able to learn any subject taught in school. To compete in today's job market, one requires a proficiency in reading." The earlier you start your reading programme, the better off they will be. The best place is to start at home. Children love to mimic adults. They watch us constantly. If as a parent you read, you will find that sooner or later, your child will pick up a book too.

APARNA NAMBIAR

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