Why Your Little Ones Should Read Often
Three summers ago, I stumbled on this awesome bookstore that delivers books in bulk and then I created a first library for my kids. At first it was scanty, with just a few books here and there. Then I started upgrading the library by buying more books as soon as I could afford to so the kids could move from occasional reading or listening to bedtime stories to discovering the magic in books themselves.
Guess what! Contrary to what I felt at the time this idea popped up in my head, the kids started taking their library serious. They would read the books by themselves and share their new discoveries with me. The shocking part is watching my first son who used to be an average student, improve in his academics like magic. He started doing his assignments himself and continued to act more independently than he used to.
Recently, he read an abridged version of Ben Carson's story and shared with me how he hoped to manage his anger just the way Ben Carson did, when he almost killed another student. He told me the story helped him to understand why he should control his emotions and how to do so, a task I had been trying to help him achieve. The exhilarating part is that he chose to read that book immediately I brought it home.
What could make a mother happier than to see her child become more independent, more matured in decision making and highly creative. it was a magical moment for me. Stephen King, an American Writer, said "Books are a uniquely portable magic." Indeed, They are magic! Or what would you call a grade 5 pupil, thinking and writing like he is twice his age. The beauty of it all is when I see his younger ones follow his steps. They seek to find the treasure he must have found in the books and the results are telling on them.
Check out one of my son's rhymes:
"Beauty is amazing
It leaves people gazing
When you're so cute
Your look shut people mute
At some point, you become proud
Then you start getting loud
When you're cute, you face less pain
But then, you depend on your gain
That is why beauty isn't good
'cause you might just turn too rude"
"Beauty is amazing
It leaves people gazing
When you're so cute
Your look shut people mute
At some point, you become proud
Then you start getting loud
When you're cute, you face less pain
But then, you depend on your gain
That is why beauty isn't good
'cause you might just turn too rude"
His thoughts might not be totally perfect but he is learning to express himself. The energy he would have used to cause some boyish trouble-making is being channelled into musing and expressing his inner thoughts. I'm glad I gifted him a diary and an erasable pen during his last birthday. As Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish Novelist puts it, "I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in." It is a beautiful thing that they start learning to express what they read in writing. Words written are brought alive each time someone reads them.
Let the kids Read! Read!! Read!!! Help them discover the magic in Books and the power of expressing their thoughts through writing and patiently watch the transformation. Start with a small volume book and let them read few lines at a time so they do not become disinterested too quickly. Cut off some screen time to create time for books. You can have a particular hour of the day for reading remember that they learn faster when we model what we want them to do.
Let the kids Read! Read!! Read!!! Help them discover the magic in Books and the power of expressing their thoughts through writing and patiently watch the transformation. Start with a small volume book and let them read few lines at a time so they do not become disinterested too quickly. Cut off some screen time to create time for books. You can have a particular hour of the day for reading remember that they learn faster when we model what we want them to do.