Why is reading important?

Teachers can always spot a reader.  What is it that differentiates readers?  Essentially, readers have much more vivid imaginations, they are more creative and through exposure in literature, they are better able to talk about ideas that are beyond their own immediate childhood experiences.  We can also notice that readers have a much wider vocabulary that they can actively use to convey their own ideas and we find that they are also more likely to experiment with a broader range of stylistic devices within their writing.  Exposure to books can therefore match individual children’s all round learning needs and help them to develop self-confidence in using English and approaching new ideas.

But as you know, young children like to copy mum and dad, so if you want to foster a positive reading environment remember that your child will most likely take their cue from you.  So set the scene for them and let them see you enjoying a good novel too.  If reading is a part of family life, children won’t see it as part of their educational life only, which can often be the cause of low motivation.

Book selection and building up a home library

Selecting the right book is important in the beginning stages of learning English if children are to be able to pick-up language in a way that self-motivates.  Wherever possible, let your child select the book that he or she would like to read or be read to; this independence will develop greater intrinsic motivation to finish the story.  Otherwise, you can select books from the library or bookshop that have appealing topics that will interest your child.  Also, what are the best-sellers at the moment?  Check this out on the Internet for both Hong Kong and other English speaking countries; there usually is a very good reason why they are so popular.

It is important to have books available for your child to browse from an early age.  Make them accessible so that your child can take one at any time and if possible store them in a box with the title page front facing; looking at a book spine is much less motivating for a younger child.  Browsing through books is a form of play that consolidates any learning and gives every child an opportunity to play at his or her own level.  Borrowing and sharing books with their family may also motivate them to read more, so if you have an older child, why not encourage him or her to read to their younger sibling?

When is a good time to read to your child?

Children respond well to routines, so what is most important is that you set up a regular reading time that suits your family.  For many, this will be just before bedtime, as reading can help settle a child and provide stimulating dream material.  Remember that even if your child has outgrown picture books, there is no reason that reading to your child needs to stop.  Everyone loves a good story and enjoys the attention of being read to.

Reading a picture book together with younger children

Opal Dunn, educational consultant and author, makes the following recommendations in a British Council publication, Using picture books with younger children:

• sit comfortably side-by-side so that you can read together and you can turn your head towards the child so that the child can see the way the lips move to say different words (children learn how to speak through copying and imitating)
• introduce ‘book time’ by talking about the book and ask your child if he or she is ready for you to start reading
• read at the child’s own pace letting them scan the pictures in his or her own time; when a child has finished, he or she usually looks at the adult as if to say ‘let’s go on’, which is a clue to turn the page
• as you read the story, point to each word, stressing language that you feel is important; fill out the story with you own comments, but avoid altering the language, as this will confuse the child and make picking up the text more difficult
• point to each word as you read so that the child develops better left to right eye movement and becomes conscious of the shape of words
• include some physical gesture to go with the story, as this will help the child memorise language
• use different voices when you read the story and encourage the child to join in by letting him or her finish off phrases or make the noises of animals or transport; before long, depending on the child’s development level, you will be surprised by how much of the text is known by heart
• when you have finished a book, leave a few moments after you have closed the book for the child to think; the child may be in his or her own imaginative world and need a little time before he or she is ready to leave it
• do not be tempted to ask too many questions about how a child likes the book or what he or she thought, as you could spoil the magic of the book; the child will, in time, tell you what he or she feels about the story, especially the pictures.

How can parents encourage older children to read?

As mentioned earlier, it is important to make reading a natural part of your family’s life.  To encourage less enthusiastic readers, you could use resources available online.  The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk) and Learn English (www.britishcouncil.org) websites both contain a wealth of stories that children can read and listen to at the same time.

Also, in Hong Kong the public library organises lots of events to encourage reading.  Go to its website to find our more: www.hkpl.gov.hk/english/kids_teens/kids_teens.html.