Wednesday 18 September 2013

WHY IS CULTIVATING A 'LOVE FOR BOOKS' IN OUR CHILDREN-SO IMPORTANT?

 If anyone has ever watched a movie based on a novel-and read the novel itself, nine times out of ten, they will always say the story was told SO much better in the novel. The journey through a novel is always more elaborate and intricate-you glean more, learn more and grow more!

Whether it’s reading to learn more or just for enjoyment, if you can develop a reading culture in your child…”THE WORLD” can really become “THEIR OYSTER”

The benefits of developing an appetite for reading in your kids are priceless and include the following:

  • Reading stimulates and grows a person’s creativity and imagination because you are continually exposed to new worlds and concepts that expand your mental horizons
  • The ability to read with speed and a good grasp of content is an essential skill that can really be advantageous for your child’s academic development(primary through to tertiary- and beyond)
  • Reading ‘opens up’ a person’s mind, similarly to the way ‘travelling’ exposes a person. You learn to see life from different angles and have a more open-minded and less stereotyped approach to life
  • Books enable you to explain difficult subject matters to your child. My six year old daughter has books with titles like ‘where did grandpa go’ and ‘where do babies come from’. These books have helped me to explain death and the coming of a new family member- in  a way she understands and that is relevant for her age
  • Reading provides a great and productive option of utilizing one’s time! A great way to cut down on time spent glued in front of a TV or playing video games.

Ever heard it said, ‘If you want to hide something from an African, put it in a book?’ Whilst that may no longer be quite-the-case nowadays, there is still a lot of room for improvement! People who have who achieved significance and success in life like Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Strive Masiyiwa, Ben Carson and Chimamanda Adichie Ngozi-all seem to share a common thread. They are either avid readers, or allude their success and growth to stuff they have learnt through reading!

So, granted, your child may not become the next Obama or Mary Robinson, but if you can cultivate within them the habit of reading and a love for books…you are undoubtedly setting them up for success and significance along their path of life!

What others benefits of reading can you share with us? If you are a reader, what do you enjoy about reading? If you have watched a movie based on a novel recently and also read the novel, what differences have you noticed? If you have already developed a love for books in your child, what benefits have you noticed? TALK TO US!





4 comments:

  1. Thank you for this..I must admit..I read but would rather watch or listen to things instead..but I am improving..will invest in more books for my children

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Way to go Connie! It's a journey. Step by step...

      Delete
  2. Greatly appreciated Madam. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome Rodwell. We need to hand over this baton to the next generation if they are going to stand on our shoulders!

      Delete