Instilling a love of reading in children<\/p>\n
By Surtiningsih W.T.<\/p>\n
BOGOR, West Java (JP): National Press Day, Feb.9, was marked
\nwith a number of slogans, the first of which was "with press day,
\ninstill a love for reading".<\/p>\n
This is an honorable aim, and many people believe that
\ncultivating reading does grow along with the growth of press
\nindustry. However, a campaign for instilling a love for reading
\nshould start much earlier than the time when someone begins
\nreading newspapers. It should start in childhood.<\/p>\n
If parents introduce children to books at an early age, the
\nchild's curiosity grows and their appetite for good books is
\nwhetted.<\/p>\n
There is a cost to this habit, however. Bambang Erawan, a
\npharmacist with three children, brought his three young children
\nto a children's book exhibition recently.<\/p>\n
He had saved Rp 100,000 (US$ 45) and spent it on a few sets of
\nbooks. They managed to remember to keep enough to pay for the cab
\nhome.<\/p>\n
"Books are expensive," he sighed, but then smiled because his
\nchildren looked so happy as they listened to their mother reading
\nthe books. "I don't make much money, but I'm happy to spend it on
\nmy children's books."<\/p>\n
Years of being a mother and a grandmother has taught me that
\ncultivating an appreciation for reading at an early age will
\ncarry a child a long way through their studies. Reading and
\ncuriosity help children learn.<\/p>\n
There are other benefits to reading. Not only is it a positive
\npastime, but reading also helps children offset the negative
\ninfluences they find on television.<\/p>\n
Books also save nagging parent's energy. Children absorb
\nvalues through reading.<\/p>\n
Children learn the value of non-material things through
\nreading. They will also choose books over more expensive toys and
\namusements like video games.<\/p>\n
Reading teaches children to be more sensitive and feel for
\nother people's suffering. I have yet to see a child reading the
\nsuffering and adventures of Remi in The Wide, Wide World without
\nwiping away a teardrop or two.<\/p>\n
Priority<\/p>\n
Bambang's attitude, unfortunately, is the exception and not
\nthe rule in this country. More Indonesians don't see books and
\nreading as a priority, and they end up with children who lack
\ncuriosity and consider reading a burden instead of a source of
\nenjoyment.<\/p>\n
Prof. Slamet Iman Santoso, the Indonesian doyen of psychology,
\nsaid at a seminar several years ago that Indonesians are "people
\nwho have just come out of poverty."<\/p>\n
Long years of deprivation is why many people, when they have a
\nlittle extra money, buy things such as new furniture, laser discs
\nor replace their floor tiles instead of buying a book.<\/p>\n
Not many Indonesians buy or read books, and, "if this
\ncondition goes on, we'll become a nation of people with empty
\nminds," Prof. Slamet asserted.<\/p>\n
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro has
\noften pointed out that the price of books and the availability of
\ngood books hampers the love of reading.<\/p>\n
There are too many factors which cause Indonesia to be a
\nnation which does not read. When Indonesian family's set their
\npriorities right, they will find that buying books is cheaper
\nthan replacing the television sets they worship.<\/p>\n
This is where the community can help. I believe that everybody
\nwho is in a decision making position, from the neighborhood
\nchief, to teachers, to mothers need to work together and, for
\ninstance, set up small libraries or reading centers.<\/p>\n
If the government can spend billions of rupiah to control
\npopulation growth, why can't it spend some money to instill a
\nlove of reading and therefore educate the future generations?<\/p>\n
The government should encourage more people to write quality
\nchildren's books and motivate contemporary writers to produce
\nmore books for children.<\/p>\n
Read aloud<\/p>\n
What should parents do to cultivate a love for books in
\nchildren? Most experts, including Jim Trelease who wrote The New
\nRead-Aloud Handbook (1989), agree that the first thing parents,
\nespecially fathers, must do is read to their children.<\/p>\n
Other suggestions are:<\/p>\n
* Start early. We talk to our children right after they are
\nborn; so, why not read to them? They understand.<\/p>\n
* Start with simple books with lots of pictures. The pictures
\nand the stories will help develop your baby's hearing and
\nlanguage.<\/p>\n
* Set aside a specific time for reading together. Choose a
\nleisurely, unhurried moment such as early morning, before the
\nfamily starts its activities, or just before bedtime.<\/p>\n
* Be patient. Children get into the habit of reading
\ngradually. If, during the first or second time, your child looks
\nrestless or inattentive don't be discouraged.<\/p>\n
* Turn the television off. Most children would prefer to be
\ncuddled and read to, than sitting alone in front of the TV. Even
\nif they are already diehard couch potatoes, you can wean them off
\nthe television.<\/p>\n
* Choose books which span the interests of children of
\ndifferent ages. Choose picture books. If the age difference
\nbetween your children is more than two years, then provide
\nindividual read-aloud time.<\/p>\n
* Finish the book you start. Don't leave off in the middle of
\nthe story, except if you find the book is really not good for the
\nchildren. Don't make the children wait for three or four days
\nbefore you resume the book you have started reading to them.<\/p>\n
* Once in a while stimulate your children with books which are
\na little beyond them. Don't do it too often as they may get
\nfrustrated. And don't read too long; consider their concentration
\nspan.<\/p>\n
* Stop reading at the most exciting part, and make your
\nchildren wait in suspense. If the child insists on finishing the
\nbook by himself, let him. Don't stop reading to children just
\nbecause they can read for themselves.<\/p>\n
* Be comfortable when reading to them. Let them place their
\nhead on your lap, while you sit on the floor or mattress. Long
\nafter the story is finished, they will still remember the warmth
\nof your cuddle.<\/p>\n
* Give ample time for discussion. Let the children ask
\nquestions and vent the feelings that are brought about by the
\nstory. Don't make the story a test, by asking them what the
\ncharacters say or do. Let them enjoy the story.<\/p>\n
* Don't read too fast. Give your children time to imagine the
\nscene.<\/p>\n
* Prepare yourself before reading to them. Make sure you like
\nthe story, and know which part can be summarized or omitted.<\/p>\n
* Introduce your children to the library and book shops as
\nearly as possible.<\/p>\n
Surtiningsih W.T. has written a number of children books. She
\nis a mother of nine and a grandmother of twelve.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/instilling-a-love-of-reading-in-children-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}