Every child should be a reader

STATISTICS show that in an average classroom of 60 pupils, 10 pupils cannot read.

All parents want to ensure their children’s success. Often times some leave their children’s education to teachers and child specialists. However, they don’t realize that no amount of schooling can equate the impact of what is learned at home- the language and communication skills, for instance, that the child learned even before he is able to talk.

Early learning experiences, skills, physical and emotional development are some of the factors that promotes reading readiness. Children who experience more learn more. It is therefore very important that parents and teachers provide opportunities for their children/pupils to explore new experiences. In this way, they build their vocabulary and improve their overall use of language.

Parents and teachers are also the role models as they show love of reading to their children, they at the same time must demonstrate the importance of reading to them. Providing them variety of reading materials that they can explore at home and also in school.

However, there are limitations and teachers cannot provide all the learning by themselves. Parents like teachers can teach their children at home supplementing the knowledge and experiences that they learned in school.

Teaching reading to children is a shared responsibility of teachers and parents as well. Consistent influence of both parties surely will make all children a READER. Prima T. Joseph