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Reading is an often undervalued skill in today's world of economics, finance and commerce. The advantages of reading are many, from a wider general knowledge base to that extra clout in language you just can’t achieve by any other means. Yet with the amazing range of video and computer games out there, children tend to disdain reading and spend their time blasting ugly monsters/racing a Mercedes/hacking and slashing things instead on a computer or video game machine. As a parent who recognizes the importance of reading, it can be frustrating to even instill, let alone maintain an interest in books in the child. Think you’ve done everything and are ready to give up? Try keeping a few things in mind while continuing your efforts – you’ll be amazed at their effectiveness.
Start Early
No matter how rushed for time or how tired you are at the end of the day, your child’s formulative years from 6-12 are of vital importance in deciding what they will tend towards in their free time. Read to them at bedtime whenever you can. Everybody loves a story, and it is but a matter of getting your child to realize this. Enthrall them with tales you remember from your own childhood, or indulge them with simply reading from one of the many, many fantastic children book authors today. At a younger age, select books with good illustrations, and engage your child by pointing to the items portrayed as you read. As they grow older, move on to Enid Blytons and the Hardy Boys. Later yet, the child should be well and able to read Roald Dahl for him/herself with your introduction. Don’t let them miss out on these classics, but allow them to select their own range.
Limit Other Entertainments
Allow your child to play games on the computer by all means, but have a say in the playing. Early on, you may even want to encourage him to play games made out of children books, with the Arthur series by Marc Brown being a good example. Read the book with him first, then let him see the book come to life. You may want to restrict other types of gaming either by setting down quotas, or via a reward system for the more reluctant readers, where he can earn time by reading a book and telling you what it is about. Chances are, he will learn to enjoy the reading as time goes on, and eventually, it will become and end rather than a means.
The television is a deadly threat to the book as well. This is not to say that watching television is bad, merely that you should not allow your child to spend all his free time in front of the TV. Once again, quotas may be imposed and you yourself have to set a good example, or the child will build up a sense of resentment.
Whatever the case, do not totally cut him off from other forms of entertainment. Apart from making him crave it more, relations between the two of you will also take a turn for the worse.
Do Not Discriminate
Many parents make the mistake of discriminating the child’s material for them. When the child is old enough to make his own selections, allow him to do so. Whether it be comics or showbiz gossip, let them enjoy themselves. This instills a basic love for reading that can be worked on by encouraging the child to try other genres. Remember: do not stifle.
These are the basic things to keep in mind if you wish to teach your child, or children you are working with, to read, and some mistakes that many make. What is ‘valuable’ reading to you may not be to him, and forcing your opinions on him may turn him off the whole thing altogether. Work to first get him interested and then build upon it, not tear it down.
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