Making reading fun in the age of electronics
IN the age of tablets and video games, children enjoy games and the myriad of sounds bursting from the speakers in their little gadgets. This has made the desire even for colourful books and reading time more difficult.
Literacy specialist Georgette Johnson said that children at any age can appreciate the exposure to reading from as early as in the womb.
“Often we see too many people saying children are not ready for books or to read yet because they are too young. But that’s just a myth. We can encourage basic reading skills among our children with the plethora of technologies available at any age,” Johnson said.
She noted that whether parents choose smart gadgets or continue with the use of traditional books and posters, there are a number of ways reading can be encouraged among children. These include:
1. Make reading fun
Children love interactive reading, they like acting out and they like feeling like they are a part the adventure. So allow them to role-play and allow them to have reading dates. That way they are more likely to be engaged.
2. Use interactive material
Children are excited by fun stuff and dull books aren’t that. You want to go for books that have pull outs and pop-ups or those with buttons that prompt you to follow instructions.
3. Use colourful material
Just as with almost everything else — screens, food and clothing — children are attracted to colours and are likely to become interested in what you have to share if the colours are appealing.
4. Set up book clubs
Whether it is that children borrow a book from the library or their parents purchase them, parents through their little circles can encourage group reading or discussions. So whether it’s at a library or another mutually agreed place, children should be encouraged to read books, learn words and meanings attached, or even find the names for pictures shared in the group. They will then meet up to talk about what they learned. This method also presents a great way for social interaction.
5. Build a corner dedicated to reading
Reading should be encouraged as part of the list of fun activities that your children enjoy. You want to schedule reading time into the group of activities they enjoy each week. Include in the reading corner books of many genres, pictures, activity boards and other games that will encourage learning and reinforce lessons that were taught.
6. Smart gadgets are the way to go!
Too much screen time is discouraged because children should also physically interact with peers and their environment to achieve a healthy balance. However, depending on how much screen time you give your child, encourage them to watch educational videos, play educational games, and explore educational applications.
7. Read stories to them
Children might not be able to read on their own but reading to them helps to develop their language skills as well as make them more familiar with words. You can use this opportunity to develop their reading skills. From the very cover of the book — its title or picture — you can ask your child what it is they think the book is about and encourage them to predict the happenings. As you go through the book, encourage them to say what will happen next and how they think it will end, then at the end ask them to share what they learnt with you.
8. Set up a rewards system
Acknowledge the child’s progress and success. So he/she has completed a task, you want to show them that it is something to be proud of. Reward systems are noted to go a long way in cultivating a habit. Use small items and as they grow older ensure that they understand that good performance is required even in the absence of material rewards. Hugs, kisses and other non-material gifts are also great rewards.
