For any parent, nothing is more exciting than seeing a child with a keen interest in learning more about the world. Most small children go through a period of curiosity and questioning, and you need to show your child that this is a very healthy way to live. When your child questions everything and takes nothing for face value, he or she will grow up to be a very brilliant individual. There are many ways that you can foster this kind of attitude in a child, and you should do your best to encourage it in all of your children, if possible. Read on to find out some tips as to how you can do this.
First, you need to start incorporating books into the lives of your children from a very young age. Even before your child can understand what you’re saying, you should read picture books and describe what is going on. This may seem pointless, but studies have shown that it will lead to a more eloquent and verbose child. As the child gets older, start reading more complex books. Don’t worry about getting out of his or her reading level. Although it my not improve your child’s reading skills, it will help develop his or her level of understanding.
Make the library into a fun outing for you and your kids. Go once or twice a week to get new books, and encourage your kids to finish the books before the next outing so that they can exchange the books for other ones. Most libraries offer some summer programs where the kids log their books and receive rewards. If you feel your kids have a real passion for reading then this is a great way to get free ice cream every once in a while. Otherwise you should skip these programs, since they have the potential to make reading into something that is done simply for the prize at the end.
As your kids become more proficient readers, you need to push them to higher content levels. It doesn’t matter if your kindergartener is reading at a 10th grade level as long as he or she understands the book and isn’t exposed to anything that you wouldn’t want him or her to read. As long as you keep upping the ante and complexity of the books that your child reads, you will see growth in leaps and bounds. You should be wary of something that is frequently a result of advanced children, and that is a lack of interest in school. If your child is reading adult-level fiction and non-fiction books, it isn’t likely that public school will offer enough of a challenge. Most school districts have special programs for these kids that provide more challenging learning activities. You should inquire about the suitability of such a program for your child if this scenario applies.
The journey through parenthood is different for everyone, and reading is just one aspect that you have to pay attention to. Keep a healthy relationship with your kids always, and they will grow up to be healthy individuals. This is rewarding enough in itself, and should inspire you to try your best as a parent.
