Consider what these situations have in common: ordering food from a menu, following road directions or filling out a form?
Answer: All the situations involve reading in one form or another.
Reading is one of the most important practical tools that has to be developed from an early age.Being able to access information through the printed word is an absolute necessity for personal growth and satisfaction. As children initiate a lifelong relationship with the printed word, they become adults who are confident readers, whether for knowledge, business or pleasure.
What can we do to encourage the reading habit?
Start Young
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss
Spend time talking; telling stories and singing with children from the time they are infants. Guide your child by pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By associating words to pictures and real-life objects, the child learns the value of language.
Read aloud
Like singing, the sound, rhythm and melody of words helps in the development of language acquisition, listening skills and prepares children for the written word. Be expressive and exaggerate – change your voice, tone, pace and volume to fit the story. These will make the story more interesting and memorable to a child. Even when children are able to read by themselves, you can still continue reading aloud stories as this stretches their imagination and motivates them to improve their reading skills.
Routine matters
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” ― Emilie Buchwald
Try to read with your child daily at a regularly scheduled time.Choose a comfortable place to read together. This helps in creating a special feeling at reading time. Let your child select the books to read-your child may favour one book and insists you read that night after night! Although it may be boring for you (WARNING:when you try to skip parts, they WILL know!), keep in mind that the story may interest your child or meet an emotional need within them. Done regularly, routines will become habits and your child will be more inclined to read even when you are busy.
Talk about it
When reading a story, talk about it to the child. Discuss the pictures and the main ideas. Get your child to predict what might happen next before turning the pages. Ask them to consider what they might do if they were in the position of a character in the story.
Be a reading role model
Set an example by reading yourself. Take your child to the bookstores or libraries and encourage him to borrow books. Let the child see you reading books, newspapers or magazines, in any form.
“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” ― Voltaire
ASIA Metropolitan International School (ametis), in line with its philosophy of ‘Educating Forward’ provides a holistic learning environment, with a great emphasis on mastering the English Language. Learners are prepared to have the advantage of confidently coping with information, communication and digital technology; preparing them to succeed in a global setting.
Enrolment is now open for primary, secondary and A-Levels. Please call 05-2905888 or 019‑3883349 for enquiries, or visit us on www.ametis.edu.my.
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ametis is conducting a workshop for parents on ‘Reading with your child’ as follows:
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2014
Time: 9am to 12.30pm
Venue: ASIA Metropolitan International School (ametis), 24 Lebuh Perusahaan Klebang 1, IGB Industrial Park, off Jalan Kuala Kangsar, 30010 Ipoh, Perak. Admission is free but places are limited. Please call to reserve a place for the workshop. Parents may bring along their children, as there will be activities for the children. |
