HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILD TO READ

                    HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILD TO READ

It is quite amazing that at age 17 in 1964, John Maxwell took a great interest in reading books on Leadership. So it was not out of place, 5 years later in 1969, when he had his first leadership position. 

According to John Maxwell "In 1976, I became convinced that everything rises and falls on leadership".

One other peculiar thing was that this young man also aimed at writing a book on “Leadership-Gold” once he clocked 60 and as God will have it. He achieved this mile stone goal, at 60 and many others.

My point is that leadership is everything and no parent can nurture a child properly without understanding a few tips about the heart of leadership. The beauty of understanding the concept of leadership as parents is that, it empowers your child with leadership traits at their early age. However, the focus of this article is to build a reading culture in your child.

You may not be able to influence your children to learn to read,when you do not read or encourage them to read good books. The selection of books children read between the ages of 10 and 20 have a lot to do with who they are or become. However, the culture of reading has to be inculcated into our children before the age of 10 and this will further help them in their teens.

I understand many parents instruct, encourage, persuade, or even yell at their children to read. It is not uncommon to hear:  "Junior go inside and read your book now". Ironically you will find Junior reluctantly leaving for his room, only to be spotted with a toy, or game or puzzle book. You will agree with me, that Junior will not read adequately with this method. Suffice to say that this might not be a good way to encourage a reading culture. Reading should not be enforced when we want our children out of reach. Reading should be made interesting for them instead.

It is not enough to tell them to read. We also need to give them a book, explain some part of the book to them and even read a few lines with them. When you read to your child, it captures his attention faster.

Tip on how to teach your child to read

1) Pick a book and allocate different times for reading school books and leadership cum historical books.

2) Break the book down for them and let them know you will review it with them after a given time for accountability.

3) Tell them about the writer. Tell them you will also be reading the book as well. Children learn from imitation. 

4) Review the book with them as promised. If you fail to review as promised the child may lose interest in the reading exercise.

5) Make it a culture and allow them to also lead the review session at times,to help them build confidence and have a good analytical skill.

6) Visit a public library with your child on one of your time-outs. Reading different books help children to engage in mind travel.

Many homes have libraries that are already gathering dust while some other home libraries lack patronage. We often complain that Nigerians don't read but we can change this narrative by taking a step at a time with our children. So pick a book today and teach your child how to read!

Thank you for visiting Olabusola’s Review. I remain your loyal host Olabusola Olorunnowo.

I also like to thank Segilola Awolesi for a good editing job.

Ref: Leadership Gold, John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2008.