It's hard to imagine life without books. Some would have us believe the day of books is passed; that our future will be one in which knowledge is taken not out from the pages of books but from computers and other electronic sources. Even it will probably happen in the future still it depends on each of us what we prefer to use books or computer?
So how do we help our children make reading a priority? How do we encourage them to make good books their best friends? We want our children to grow up intelligent, inquiring, and informed individuals.
There are three foremost principles that we parents can use to help our children want to read more of the good books that are out there. If we can instill in our children's mind the value of reading, maybe our children will come to view books as their best friends.
Choosing good books should be a joint effort for you and your child. Although you are the parent and should have much of the input as to what your children read, it is good to remember that they do have minds and can decide of their own.. What we need to do as parents is help them find and read what satisfies their curiosity without abandoning family values in the process.
For starters, spend even a little time reading children's literature for yourself so that you know what is out there. Try to remember what it was like to be a child so that you can think from your child's perspective. This will help you learn to relate with your child, and it will also help you to choose books that are both interesting and character building.
Reading should be fun, so that means you should have some variety in your home reading corner. After all, variety of book is very essential. Like the food we eat, reading isn't going to be nearly as much fun if we don't try something new once in a while.
For developing a child who is reaching out to explore the world, variety is absolutely important. Being able to pick and choose and then enjoy those choices allows your child to develop the unique abilities and traits of personality that makes him who he is. As a result, he will become more balanced academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Remember if two of you can find good stories about interesting times, people, and places, your child's imagination will do the rest. There are books that is very interesting to read such as biographies about real-life of famous people, historical novels can be invigorating too, as long as they aren't the sensational, mushy type that leaves the reader wanting to read more, action stories are most kids often want, especially the boys. And of course Bible stories are still one of the best selections you can make with your child.
Continue to read with your child even after the formative years. Your children may already be old enough to read for themselves, but that doesn't mean you should stop reading together as a family. Spend your extra time a week reading aloud together or silently, even if it means reading with only one other member of the family.
