Stating that it is very easy to gain the love of reading books with the right methods, but it is very difficult to transform the hatred of reading into love, the writer Esra Zerbeliz Avgören gave important information about the wrongs that are known to be true in inculcating reading habits in children in her book named Little Bookworms Raising Guide published by Martı Publishing.
WRONG TO READ ONLY BEFORE SLEEP
This app is an ax to the reading habit. We program our brains as ‘reading a book is preparation for sleep’. The brain, which is programmed in this way, perceives it as a preparation for sleep at any time of the day when reading a book. Then, whenever a book is handled, the eyelids become heavy and it is not possible to start reading.
NO TIME TO READ BOOKS
It is a big mistake to take a special time to read books and read carefully at a fixed point. It pushes the act of reading books out of life. The Japanese read books at any time of the day, by all means. They even have a special definition for it: Tachymia. Meaning; Reading while walking. In other words, not to compress reading books into special time intervals. The book can be read anywhere, anytime. The most decisive factor here is the need.
THE BOOK IS NOT HOLY
All sacred matters are dogmatic. It is not open to discussion. It has definite and clear boundaries. When we attribute these adjectives to the book, we set the concept of the book as unsettling boundaries with a lot of red lines for children. The concept of the book, which has become a taboo, ceases to be attractive for children. With adult perceptions, impositions begin to be made on children. Children’s needs are not the same as adults. The child looks at the fun, not the sanctity of the book. Otherwise, it would be contrary to creation. If there is no entertainment, the child is not in that area. That’s why children’s books should be fun, not holy. The sacred is knowledge, knowing. All materials from which we receive this information are intermediary. We should not turn means into ends.
In short, if we accept that the book is a consumable material, we are not afraid and it can enter our lives more easily. The book is not sacred, it is cultural material.
NOT EVERY BOOK IS A TEACHER
No! The book is not always the teacher. Sometimes it can be a friend, sometimes a troublemaker. We should not force today’s children with the patterns of 200 years ago. Within this pattern, children will see books only as teaching materials. Books are not always read to learn. It can be read for many reasons such as having fun, researching, socializing…. He can even paint books, cut them with scissors and make paintings from their pictures, separate chapters and change their order. In short, children’s books should be used in any way that develops their creativity. If we disguise the book as a teacher, we will kill the other factors that lead to the formation of reading habits.
PARENTS DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING
Don’t know everything! Don’t answer your kids’ every question. Indicate that you are also curious and do not have a full grasp of the subject, research the word or topic from a reliable encyclopedia or the internet and read it together. Read to your illiterate children. The individual, who has seen this attitude systematically and somehow, starts to research and read on his own. He will even come to you later and tell you what you do not know.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION WITH CHILDREN MUST BE ESTABLISHED
Make frequent, legible notes for them. Drop it in their bags, under their pillows, and so on. Let the first words they read come from you. In addition to learning that literacy is a way of communication, it increases its value. Let them read the gospel news and write texts in which your writing language becomes heavier in proportion to their reading skills. Even send letters and postcards from the post office. Do not belittle the language you use when speaking to your children, regardless of their age. Write as if you were talking to an adult. This behavior prepares to hear and read new words and prevents unfamiliar words from getting in the way of reading habits. Ask your children questions and get ideas, but most importantly, make them feel that you are listening.
THE CHILD’S CHOICES MUST BE RESPECTED
Children are more interested in the behaviors and attitudes of their role models rather than their words. Attitude is more important than the action of the parents. An oppressive attitude that does not respect the child’s choices is harmful. Do not hinder the development of self-regulatory mechanisms. If they are in a healthy development, the books they will choose should not be a problem for you. But if you see problems for yourself in the choice of books, this problem is not related to the choice of the book, but related to other issues that go wrong deeper.
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
