Book lovers????
Why do we always have a mental picture of someone boring???
Why is it ok to sit for hours looking at a TV or Video screen lost in that world
But its "uncool" to be lost in a book
I want my children to enjoy books
I would love my children to get as lost in books as they do in the big screen!
I am a book lover
Right now I am into books that delve into the workings of the mind I guess that is just where I am at the moment
When someone has made you believe you have lost their mind
Studying the works of the mind comes pretty naturally
My 9 year old is the one who has most taken after me
He is a great lover of Charles Dickens
Not exactly what you would expect from a 9 year old but he really enjoys these Classic Novels. His favourite books are Oliver Twist, Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations.
Personally I think its wonderful that he gets such a lot of pleasure from reading, he has a bright and curious mind and also gets a thrill from writing his own stories too, Who knows one day in the future, you may even be reading something by him!!!!
How to teach your child to love Books
For a start, force is not going to cut it here
You cannot make your child develop a love of reading
You can however encourage your child to respect books and the stories they hold
Its the way you tell the Story
I have read books to my children from the get go, I am not ashamed or embarrassed that I have a variety of voices that I can read it for role play purposes.
Encourage reading from a very early age
Make stories a part of their routine
Don't read in a bland voice, add dialects and characters by the changes in your voice
With picture books use the pictures as you read to encourage their imagination
Make them Wait
As my children got older, I used to find an exciting part of the story to finish it
I wouldn't give in to any bribes or threats, but I would put the book away for the next evening
By doing this I am encouraging them to look forward to the next part and look forward to story time in general
Involve their own Imagination
Sometimes before turning the page, I ask them what they think is going to happen, we will discuss the possibilities of what will happen next..... It adds to their enjoyment especially if they are the ones who guessed correctly.
Don't Push a "Dull" Book
By a "Dull" book, I mean dull to your child. Sometimes you can find a book that will keep 19 out of 20 children enthralled but there may be that one child that switches off. If you feel the story is not working or they are not enjoying it then stop reading the book and find another one that appeals better to your child.
Join a Library!
Libraries are great for choosing books and getting a regular selection all for free
There is also generally nice little children areas in libraries so if you are in town and your child needs a break, go to a library, read them a story and they will be refreshed again.
Wouldn't it be great to see more children taking pleasure from a Book!
(April 2007) (
