How You Can Help Your Child To Be An Avid Reader

Reading is the most efficient and economical way to help anyoneto acquire information, knowledge, skills and improve on oneself. And it is most wonderful to help your child to be agreat reader as young as possible.

The best way to help a child or any one to learn a skill and begood at it is to create a Supportive and Conducive Environmentto make it easy for her to learn. Here are some suggestionsthat you may find helpful:

1. Have lots of good books in the home at all times. You caneither buy them or borrow them from the library. The NationalLibrary has tons of excellent books suitable for children ofall ages - story books and information books (you can findbooks 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 thelibrary 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 easilyaccessible to your child so that she can get hold of them ather convenience. The best way is to have an open book shelfthat is of the right height for your child. Providing her aproper place to keep her books and stuffs is also a good way toteach your child about responsibility - teach her to care forher things by getting her to put them back in the right placeafter use.

3. Adults at home (especially parents) must set good examplesby reading books regularly. Children learn by observing whattheir parents do. Be a good reader yourself. I'd recommendnon-fiction books - e.g. books on parenting, self-enrichmentand improvement etc. (By the way, newspapers are not consideredbecause there is simply too much negative news and sensationalbut non-useful information in each publication - they are notgood to our brain and personal growth.)

4. Read to your child daily. Make it a routine, like beforebed time. The best persons to read to the child is her parentsand that is you. Reading together with your child is also oneof the best ways for bonding with your child.

5. Carry books with you when you bring your child out so thatyou can read to her when an opportunity arises, e.g. whilewaiting for someone, at the petrol station, on the MRT/ subway.

6. Give lots of encouragement and praise when the child makethe effort to read by herself. Encouragement helps to boostyour child's self-esteem and help her want to do even better.

7. Make learning fun and enjoyable. Discuss with your childabout the things she has read and has fun with her by actingout some of the scenes in the books. This will help to fillyour 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