ENJOY READING

Since human evolved on this earth, it was his desire, which motivated him to develop a way to communicate. Early man started communicating by signs and signals. There was no language so they shouted and used their limbs to altercate or communicate. Gradually they started creating sounds with tools, drum, stones, wood.

The human had brain to think logically and capacity to create. History and archeological discoveries have by large explained advent of language.

Despite the fact that reading is an important skill it is always looked as daunting task. We are surrounded by words. They are everywhere. It is almost like a magnet our eyes get attracted to the words and we end up reading and make sense. Reading enhances authoritativeness on the subject, ability to communicate, good interpersonal skills and willingness to learn.

The vocabulary of an individual automatically increases with reading the child of 4 yrs. knows 5000 words which increases to approximately 26000 words by the age of 8 and to massive 120,000 words by 18. No matter whatever is the age we must continue to read & learn.

To motivate a child there are few things which are to be kept in mind during the selection of book from the book stores. The book should be colourful and have illustrations to give visual idea, cartoons & images to keep amused, the font size of the print should be big enough to encourage reading. The important words should be highlighted, the overall theme should be interesting.

There are certain misconception about reading My research has tried to find some answers :

i. Training can increase reading speed.

ii. Speed-reading has edge over slow reading because one gets distracted with slow reading.

iii. It is not necessary to read loudly to understand.

iv. Retention of reading material is naturally done by brain. Which may not be 100 %, but i.e. genuine.

Most of the parents feel that children have lack of reading habits. I believe if we become partner the reading ability of our children will get transformed into a habit that will persist for the rest of their life. Teen age is the best time to modify recently formed habit and break bad reading habit.

There are certain scientific facts associated with reading. Along with our eyes our (brain) occipital lobe is also used to understand the image of printed words. Try and involve all your senses while reading. For example tell your child,

· To think of the scene the author is trying to describe.

· Feel the surrounding.

· See in your mind’s eyes all the colours in the book.

· Find appropriate time and location to begin reading.

Human body has an internal biological clock. You may set your favorite time that may be as “Night Owls” or “Early bird” to be alert and enjoy developing good reading habits.

Have a small library at home. Suggested reading for children is books that give insight into History, Stories of Great People, Panchtantra, about our culture and rich heritage.

There is no difference between an illiterate and one who knows how to read, but chooses not to read.

Sapna Agrawal tells ways to improve reading habits and importance of reading in one’s Personality.