HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ

Reading is the easiest way for children to master all aspects of the English Language including grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary.

It does not matter if children start to read comics or simple books because as they mature and develop, their tastes will change and their language ability will develop for them to want to read more matured and varied material.

What is important is to nurture the love of reading at an early age. The way to do that is to let them read comics and books on topics or subjects that they are interested in.

For example if your child is interested in dinosaurs, borrow from the library or buy all the dinosaur books they want.

If your child is interested in science or history borrow or buy any science or history books they are interested.

The important thing is to get your child to read not what they read.

Some children love sports like football and basketball. Get them to read books on the history of football, their football heroes, how the football game is played etc.

Some children love computer games. Get them to read books or read material on the internet about background information on the computer games, how they were created, the intricacies of the game etc.

As mentioned before, the important point is to get children to read. Take them to the library and turn them loose to discover the books they want to read.

If they lose interest in a book, it could that the level is too high. Help them to choose a book on the same topic in simpler language.

Reading to young children and reading to them in reading circles is also a good way to stimulate their interest to read their own stories.

If your child still shows reluctance to read, then link reading with an enjoyable activity. For example, a library session may be followed by a McDonald lunch, or the reading of a book followed by watching a favourite TV programme. In time, going to the library will automatically be a pleasurable activity by itself.

Always link reading with rewards, hugs and happiness; do not ever scold or punish a child for not reading. The latter will link reading with negative connotations and build up a dislike for reading.

How can your child have a large vocabulary

The easy way for your child to acquire a large vocabulary is to read a lot of books. Why? This is because the English Language uses many words which mean different things in different contexts.

By reading a lot of books, your child's brain would have registered the different meanings of words in different contexts, even if the words are unfamiliar. Your child's brain would have noted the unfamiliar words and understood their meanings in their different contexts.

Therefore, acquiring an expanded vocabulary occurs naturally when your child reads a lot.

Wishing your child happiness and success always

Merle Celine Magness          K Rajamanikam (Raja)

Co-Founder / Manager        Co-Founder / Principal Teacher

TriLife Communications        TriLife Communications

Copyright TriLife Communications teaching students to easily score since 1997