By nurturing a habit of book reading parents can start a process of early learning with their children.
Easy availability- That’s the name of the game. If books are beside the toy box, train set or doll’s house there is a better chance of a book being picked up. Putting plastic books in bathtubs, children’s cook books in the kitchen and bedtime storybooks beside the bed also helps.
Be selective- Choose books with care. If your child loves toy trucks, find books on trucks. If he seems interested in the stars, find some books on astronomy. If astronauts fascinate him, get him books about space travel.
Have a book ready- when you go to places where the child may have to wait-like the doctor’s clinic, dentist or health club--carry books along. An interesting book carried along to the dentist’s, for instance, will not only keep your son busy during waiting hours but also prepare him mentally so that he is not tense and is cooperative through his check-up. Books can ease concerns about losing a teeth or having a surgery.
Read recipes- Take time out specially to cook a meal with your child. Ask your child to read the ingredients to you.
Read road signs- While you are driving, ask your child to read the road signs.
Take them shopping- Before going to the grocery store make out your list of needed items and assign part of the list to your child. Let him figure out the items on the list and fetch them from the shelves. That would not only make him independent but save your some steps too.
Audio books-- Another thing which works well is to get books which have an audiocassette or CD as a part of the package. Professional performers read thru books in dramatic way.
You can even take your children to a library. But also such a library visit is only a drop in the bucket of what a child needs and it cannot compare to hearing a story read aloud by his or her own parents.
Special time for reading --- I read to my children at bedtime but there was another time of the day that worked equally well. It was that hour when the children were waiting for their dad to come home. Also, when kids are tired, hungry and restless by the end of the day, they can be easily distracted with a book.
Relate to the story-- If there is a grandpa in the story, mention how similar he is to their grandfather. If the story is about a town, talk about how the pictures of buildings look like the ones in your town.
Beyond The Basics
Children have inquisitive minds that must be planted with positive seeds of thought to blossom and grow, bearing all the fruits of life. Our role as a parent is to educate our children in a way that is beneficial to them so that they grow into successful healthy adults. Choosing the right school for your children is one important part of your role in their education. Most parents do not have the time or the energy to execute this toll thoroughly.
In today’s society, its is increasingly difficult for parents to spend time with their children, especially with their school work. Both the parents are working to make ends meet.
Many children have extra-curricular school activities to pursue and their homework load seems greater than ever.
Tips to tackle the growing complexities:
Get going -get involved: A recent survey of school children showed that the more the involvement of the parents in the children’s school, the better their children’s academic marks get. Children love to see their mom and dad helping out in school.
Some parents may prefer to become part of school’s parent-teacher association or school board and I personally find these most rewarding. But PTAs are not for everyone. You may decide to try and spend time with your children while they are doing their homework or when they have special assignments to complete.
Praise all the way: A journalist asked a group of world-class athletes to identify the primary influences on their early careers. 95 percent gave the same answer: my parents’ support. A child who feels good about himself always succeeds.
Nurturing that self-esteem is the central element of inspiring a child to peak in his performance. I love to watch my sister encouraging her 2 year-old Sanya.
She’ll say, “See, if you can pick 3 toys”. When the girl picks one, her mother says, “That’s very good, Sanya.” When it’s 2, it’s Good job, Sanya.”
A great she has all 3, my sister beams, “Good!” and applauds and hugs her. Some people will say that that is so trivial. But you build a child’s self-esteem in tiny bits.
A great day ahead: Children have a long day ahead for them, so when they leave home in the morning, make sure that there are no pressures of getting ready fast or arguments over breakfast or any other unhappy scenes. A day that does not start well for your child would not end well either. Your child’s attitude or outlook at the beginning of the day can affect how he or she performs in their schoolwork.
Problems at school:
As parents,we must take notice of what children are like when they come home. If they are encounting problems with friends or teachers or having difficulties with their subjects, then it is the parents’ job to get into the problem straight away. Remember, our children are living in stressful times and the quicker we can help them get over these hurdles, the better.
Tackling exams: Children become highly anxious and emotional during exam days. Many parents have a tough time too coping with that period-- loaded with anxiety and insomnia.
But, as parents, what we should do is offer support and routinely help them feel as safe as secure as possible. School reports are not as they are made out to be.
They are just an indication of how our children are doing at school. Even if the marks are not what you expected you should acknowledge the effort of the child.
If your child needs strengthening in certain subjects, it is best to discuss with their teacher about where and how your child can be helped.
