Play is essential for a child’s growth. Experts are unanimous in their belief that readingHowever, it is equally important.
Richard E. Bavaria (Ph.D.), senior vice president of education outreach at Sylvan Learning, believes now is the ideal time to learn and explore. “It’s very important that children continue to practice their academic skills year-round as strong reading skills are incredibly important for all subjects in school. The more children read, the more they’ll enjoy reading, and the better readers they’re likely to become.”
These are some tips from Sylvan Learning, the tutoring authority and brain-trust of the National Learning Association.
* Be a reading role model. Spending time reading will show your child that reading can be both enjoyable and useful.
* Set aside a consistent time each day for reading. You can choose to read in the morning, evening, or before bed, depending on what time your family has. No matter what time you choose to read, be consistent! To build good habits, consistency is key.
* Let your child make their reading choices. Let children read whatever they wish. This is a great time to encourage kids to read about subjects they don’t learn in school.
* Get your child to savor the book she or he is reading. Do not rush to finish a book. Take your time and enjoy the experience. Encourage your child to think about the plot and characters. This will help them develop their analytical skills.
* Set goals and reward effort. Reward reading with more books. Get the next book in your favorite series for your tablet or your Kindle. Online library catalogs are available for your child to browse.
* Read the book, then watch the movie. Children feel better when they do something. “superior”Comparing and contrasting movies to books is more effective than doing the opposite. “That’s not the way it was in the book!”Let them share the differences, speculate on why a director made those changes, and then decide which version they prefer.
* Go online for ideas. There are many websites that offer book options for children. Visit www.BookAdventure.comFor reading tips, book recommendations and educational games.
