Reading is the most efficient and economical way to help anyone to acquire information, knowledge, skills and improve on one self. And it is most wonderful to help your child to be a great reader as young as possible.
The best way to help a child or any one to learn a skill and be good at it is to create a Supportive and Conducive Environment to make it easy for her to learn. Here are some suggestions that you may find helpful:
1. Have lots of good books in the home at all times. You can either buy them or borrow them from the library. The National Library has tons of excellent books suitable for children of all ages - story books and information books (you can find books on all kinds of topic, e.g. books on animals, seasons, famous artists and people, human body, interesting places, occupations). For our family, we make it a routine to visit the library every week if not every fortnight. It is a great family outing for all of us.
2. At your home, have the reading materials and books easily accessible to your child so that she can get hold of them at her convenience. The best way is to have an open book shelf that is of the right height for your child. Providing her a proper place to keep her books and stuffs is also a good way to teach your child about responsibility - teach her to care for her things by getting her to put them back in the right place after use.
3. Adults at home (especially parents) must set good examples by reading books regularly. Children learn by observing what their parents do. Be a good reader yourself. I'd recommend non-fiction books - e.g. books on parenting, self-enrichment and improvement etc. (By the way, newspapers are not considered because there is simply too much negative news and sensational but non-useful information in each publication - they are not good to our brain and personal growth.)
4. Read to your child daily. Make it a routine, like before bed time. The best persons to read to the child is her parents and that is you. Reading together with your child is also one of the best ways for bonding with your child.
5. Carry books with you when you bring your child out so that you can read to her when an opportunity arises, e.g. while waiting for someone, at the petrol station, on the MRT/ subway.
6. Give lots of encouragement and praise when the child make the effort to read by herself. Encouragement helps to boost your child's self-esteem and help her want to do even better.
7. Make learning fun and enjoyable. Discuss with your child about the things she has read and has fun with her by acting out some of the scenes in the books. This will help to fill your home with lots of laughter and love.
Article by Alvin Poh, founder of The Parenting Network For The Achievement of Human Potential. To learn how you help your children to develop and excel in their natural potential, go to: http://www.alvinkh.per.sg/parentingnetwork
"Setting the alarm on Sunday mornings is inhuman?..God should know... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't... Read More
The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges... Read More
Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values you don't approve... Read More
Mealtimes together deserve an important place in any family. Around... Read More
When my oldest boy was really young, he tickled my... Read More
For any of you Moms out there that are doing... Read More
The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
Lets face it becoming a mum is a bit of... Read More
Hints from Ruowen Wang? Keep a small basket filled with... Read More
Did you know that you are the most important person... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
Would you hand a child calculus problems once she was... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More
You no longer have to use Ritalin or other stimulants... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ½ hour... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
I am a dad. I have been now for over... Read More
My son is 6 yrs old. He came home the... Read More
One of the biggest milestones in our children's education is... Read More
1) It's not my (pot, beer, cigarettes, etc.), I'm just... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
This year alone, 1,600 teenagers aged 15 to 19 will... Read More
The big yellow school bus is coming down my road... Read More
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
The techniques of managing relationships between parents and their children... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
"To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More
IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More
Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks... Read More
Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through... Read More
For every season, check, check, check, There is a chart,... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
Parenting |