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Teacher Articles
Language Arts
How to Initiate Your Child into the World of Reading
by Aparna Nambiar
Does it take a character like Harry Potter to get your child to read? If yes, you could be among those parents who tell their child, “When I was your age I spent a lot more time reading”. How many times have you wished that 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, your child could be missing out on reading good books.
Reading can be enjoyable. It’s the initiation your child has been given that determines how much he enjoys it. Here are some ways you can make it fun for both him and you. Add a bit of ingenuity and these ideas can be used in the classroom too.
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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 license plate. This can be fun when going on a school trip.
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Read aloud labels and signs in the supermarket as you shop. You can repeat them as you stock away the groceries back home, too.
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Label things around your child’s room so that he learns to name them. Label things in the classroom. Put a label with the child’s name on the place where he leaves his belongings. Label things on the class bulletin board. This way he familiarizes himself with the written word.
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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.
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When it’s bedtime read his favorite story together in bed. Doing things together can be fun
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Cut short television watching time and read a tale of adventure instead. Reading helps build his imagination.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. Inspire him to submit a story or a poem. Seeing their work in print can boost their confidence.
