Being a model reader
As a parent looking to instil a strong love of books in my child, I am always open eared to the ideas and practices of others.
It is reassuring when you do read ideas, and pick up tips, when they are things you already do, seemingly without guidance, naturally so to speak.
Like, in my case, I have always encouraged my child to read what he likes, asked about things we are discovering together in books, and highlighted how an ability to read can be useful in other ways, not limiting reading to books.
But there are also times when I see advice, and think, what a simple idea, why have I not thought of doing that before?
Subtle changes, easy to adopt, and perhaps, even techniques adopted for other aspects of parenting, without realising they could be useful things to do to encourage your own little bookworm too.
I have always been a fan of leading by example, and certainly that actions speak louder than words. Which I suppose, on the face of it, means we need actions to encourage the consumption of the written words.
Children like to imitate adults, especially those closest to them, so of course it is a glaringly good idea to have children see that you enjoy reading for yourself, rather than simply concentrate on reading to them, or listening to them read to you.
As beneficial as that it, it must also be a good idea to be a model reader.
Great in principle, but I’ve found, while I read a lot, it is mainly limited to that on my computer screen, and that in my child’s books when he is around.
As I like to be consumed by a book, I tend to read them when my son is not awake, or is in the care of others. Fearing interruption of my reading will turn it into an annoyance.
But I have decided I am not following my own ideas, and why should I limit my leisure reading – of printed material – to books alone?
For that reason I have bought my first copy of Private Eye for a good many years, and I hope this will lead me down other literal roads. With the overall aim of having material I can pick up, and read snippets of, or get consumed by if the situation allows, all of which can be witnessed by my offspring.
I have also been on the look out for books with short chapters, so having to start one over again is only a minor irritant.
Fingers crossed these things will contribute to my son continuing a healthy relationship with books, and I look forward to the day we can sit and ignore each other, with heads in our respective books.
How about you? Are you an unwitting model reader?
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