When it comes to how one can encourage children to love reading, both art and science are mixed. A Child Reads Successful Family Upbringing series 06, Dr. Abdul Karim Bakkar provides parents with a kind of map for fostering this important skill in A Child Reads. In this blog, we will discuss Bakkar’s insights into the importance of reading during childhood development, accompanied by practical advice and techniques for encouraging lifelong reading habits.
Why is Reading Important for a Child’s Growth?
Reading is not just an activity. As such, according to Dr. Bakkar, reading contributes positively to intellectual, social, and emotional lives of children. In fact, it improves cognitive ability, develops vocabulary, and improves concentration. According to Dr. Bakkar, reading develops the whole worldview of a child, finds space for empathy, and cultivates curiosity, provided it is properly nurtured from childhood.
Introduction of Reading in Early Childhood
Dr. Bakkar suggests that one begins reading as early as possible. At infancy and toddling, children are attracted by pictures, colors, and sounds. Using picture books and stories will enable the parents to nurture a learning environment that captures the child’s imagination.
Choose Books with Simple Engaging Texts: Choose books that have colorful illustrations and language that is rhythmic and repetitive.
Have a reading routine each day: Habit is born out of consistency. A short reading session each day will reinforce the habit and enhance anticipation.
Reading should be a family affair
Reading should not be considered as an isolated activity. According to Dr. Bakkar, reading must become part of the daily routine of families; therefore, it will be a very good bonding time. By creating this habit of shared reading, the family bond and love for literature will surely become strong. Here are some strategies through which reading can become a fun family activity.
Family Story Time: This means that each day, you have to set time off to spend reading with the family. It could be over dinner or before bedtime.
Using Voices and Expressions for Characters: The voice and expressions you use while reading can be really engaging, bringing the story to life. It can now give children a reason to be excited to listen to the story. More importantly, it encourages active engagement with the book.
Involving Everyone: You can make the siblings participate in reading by asking the older ones to read to the younger one. This indeed becomes a very family-oriented activity where everyone plays a role.
It was the suggestion of Dr. Bakkar to make reading more vibrant for parents. Asking the child to think about the story and predict the course of events along with raising other questions improves his comprehension and develops critical thinking. Here’s how the parents can make it engaging:
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Questions like “What do you think will happen next?” tend to connect the child to the story and insert a spark for creativity.
Have the Child ‘Read’ to You: Though they are not reading, ask them to tell the story by the look of the pictures. That encourages narrative skills and creativity.
Building a Personal Library
A home library makes children feel as if they ‘own’ their books. According to Dr. Bakkar, having a special place for books fosters reading in the family.
Make a Special Reading Corner: Identify a small space with easy chairs and shelves. Designate it so that it’s not only a wish-list kind of an area but a beautiful one.
Encourage Book Ownership: Allow the children to choose books for their shelf. Organizing shelves according to themes or color can also help to make it appealing.
Choose Books That Align With Your Child’s Interest
The more interested they are in what they read, the more likely a child will read. As said by Dr. Bakkar, books have to be the first answer to their natural curiosity. Look for materials that may align with the child’s current interest or hobby.
Introduce the different genres: present them with fantasy, adventure, history, and science fiction genres.
Select Suitable Material: The vocabulary and content should be appropriate for the child’s age and understanding.
Equilibrium of Reading with Other Modes of Learning
Reading is a great tool, yet Dr. Bakkar cautions against doing too much reading only. He suggests that there ought to be a mix of learning with practical experience and playtime.
Integrate reading with hands-on activities: If one has read a book about animals, you can go to the zoo to experience and see them in real life. These activities reinforce what was learned.
Promote story-based creative play: If the story was an adventure of a pirate or have treasure, get the children to make their own maps and go on “treasure hunts” around the house.
Praise and Encouragement
Positive Reinforcement: Dr. Bakkar reminds us that positive reinforcement is key. Praising and encouraging helps build a child’s sense of self-assurance and makes reading a fun, rewarding experience. Here is how to offer constructive support:
Celebrate the Smallest Milestones: Appreciate accomplishments, such as finishing a book or learning a new word.
Encourage Persistence: Some books appear tough. Show frustration is not necessary; instead try to help and praise them for their effort.
Overcoming Challenges in Developing a Reading Habit
Some will reject reading altogether, especially now with all this screen-based entertainment. Still, Dr. Bakkar gives some very practical advice on how to deal with these challenges.
Set boundaries around screen time so that, as much as possible, books and reading are a first option for entertainment.
Be an example: Children who see their parents reading will be more likely to start reading too. Parents have to make their visible love for reading a priority.
Intro to Audiobooks: For less than willing readers, audiobooks often represent an excellent entry point, and mix storytelling with audio cues to spark interest.
Teach them respect and respect for books
Teaching respect for books is also part of the deal. Dr. Bakkar wants the parents to teach their children to take care of reading material in a respectable manner. This respect for the book transcends the book itself to the knowledge and values it encompasses.
Handle Books Dignified: Teach them to keep books clean and handle with care.
Emphasize the Value of Knowledge: Explain that books provide knowledge and inspiration. Books will, therefore, require constant care and attention.
Conclusion: Lifelong Loving to Read
In A Child Reads, Dr. Abdul Karim Bakkar documents invaluable insight into the art of developing a love for reading in children. Parents can easily bring up lifelong book lovers if approached patiently and creatively. The “language” and “cognitive building blocks” it lays can be of great help to the child while improving his language skills and cognitive ability but also opening up a world of knowledge and imagination.
Families can, with the strategies of Dr. Bakkar, foster a reading-friendly environment that creates an atmosphere of curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. For those looking to help their child in the best way possible, A Child Reads is a rich book of support for parents from the earliest stages to the end.
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