HOW TO DEVELOP READING HABIT AMONG CHILDREN

Cristina P. Dela Cruz

We should always start them young. This is actually the best thing that we could do so our children would be able to develop the habit in reading. Our children must always be exposed with reading materials so that they would have the more opportunities for them to read and explore the pages and make them learn from them.

Reading must not be a burden to our learners. Reading must be something that children find interesting and pleasurable. Let us not make them feel that reading a book is a taxing task. They must not feel that having a material at hand is a punishment for them to have.

Thus, we must let them have materials that are suited to their interest and age. Stories that are pleasurable because they bring good vibes on them would be suggested.

For beginning readers, learners must have books which contain a lot of colorful pictures and fun stories too. Furthermore, children would find it exciting if reading time is a bonding time with family and friends. This means that the role of parents and even siblings in the household is very essential as they shall be good influence or role models of making them develop the interest in reading.

We do know that once these children would be hooked on reading, we are inculcating in them good habits which shall be helpful in making them learn more and become responsible learners.

Reading is a skill. Thus once developed, we are actually making them be prepared in exploring the bigger world in their lives.

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The author is Teacher III at Pandacaqui Resettlement Elementary School, Mexico West District