Book reading a key part of Education 
Many moms wonder what they can do to help their children be successful in school. The answer is surprisingly simple," said a senior teacher.
"Many of the things parents do with their children as they work, play, read and talk together have an impact on the skills needed to become a confident and competent student.
"Singing songs, making up silly rhymes, talking about what you see, pointing out letters and words in the environment and reading together are just a few activities parents can do," she added.
Parents can support their children's learning with talking at the dinner table, playing games together, sharing household chores or while riding in the car.
It could also be done by making reading a daily habit of the family. Everyone should have a library card and teach children that reading is fun.
Creating reading rituals by setting aside a special time and place every day so that they enjoy stories without interruptions.
Moreover, cuddling closely with your child to foster a sense of security can actually eliminate stress that scientists believe produce hormones, which blocks learning.
Mealtimes can be the best opportunity to enhance learning skills. Various programs have shown success in incorporating mealtime with literacy. In Southern California, the McDonald's Family Mealtime Literacy Nights have resulted in parents using its strategies and materials at home to improve literacy skills.
GIFT the reading
Is the reading habit among children gradually dying out?
A WIDE range of books has been making its way into bookstores in the city. Today, young readers have an array of books to choose from- comics to fairy tales and adventure stories to books on sorcery.Books, it is said, are a man's best friend. But the adage holds true now more than ever before as reading introduces children to the world of books. Books that have stories about personal responsibility, tolerance for others and self reliance in clear but not overbearing ways help shape the child's personality and social environment.
But given half a chance, most children would spend hours together staring at the computer screen or television. And it is this habit that has been worrying parents these days. There is a growing concern about the effect of television and Internet on the reading habits of children.
M. S. Indira, child psychologist, Child Development Centre (CDC), feels that parents need to play role models. "They should buy and read books and inculcate the same habit in their children."Even if parents do not read, impressing on the child that books are fun ought to do half the trick. Parents could try and pick up a book, and read in the presence of the child. This would help convey to the child the message that reading is an enjoyable experience. And as children love to imitate elders they are quite likely to grab a book or magazine and pore over it.
Ten-year-old Priya is an avid reader and loves reading fairy tales, short stories and illustrated classics. "Earlier, I used to read out aloud to Priya and play `grandmother games' with her. Now she just loves books; they are her best companions," says Shalini, Priya's mother.
It all depends on how and when you introduce your child to books.
Reading, say child psychologists, is a habit and if children do not acquire it by the time they are in Class V or VI, they do not normally pick it up.
So, how early is late and how late is early? The earlier parents inculcate reading habits in children, the better it is say child psychologists in the city.
Catch them young should be the motto of parents. "Parents should ask the children to read out to them and encourage them to talk about what they read. If the channels of communication with the children are shut off, they are likely to become close minded," says Dr. Arvind Thampi, consultant psychologist, Centre for Psychological Services.
Reading clubs and library sessions play a crucial role in promoting reading habits. Parents, teachers and book publishers can help create an awareness about books and the need to read. Children's book exhibitions can also go a long way in making them aware about books on various subjects, feels Sriranjini, a teacher.Achamma Zacharia feels that television channels such as Discovery, History, National Geography and the Quiz programmes have helped create an interest in children. Children should be guided to watch programme that could help widen their horizons of knowledge, she observes.
M. R. Rajendran, an English teacher with the Kendriya Vidyalaya School, stresses on the importance of time management. "It is sad that students work only when marks are the incentive." Lack of time-not, so far, the Internet or television- emerges as the greatest enemy of the reading habit. Fears that the reading habit is on the decline is dispelled by librarians and bookstore owners. Says Ashok Kumar of Ashok Books, "It depends on the family and the environment at home. If the parents are avid readers, chances are that the children too will be fond of reading." But if children are forced to read books beyond their comprehension, it tends to puts them off, adds Ashok.
Despite the influence of the electronic media on children, books are here to stay. All the Book Festivals held in the country are best example for this. The Book Festivals of Kolkata and Vijayawada are considered to be best in India. As exam fever gives way to long summer vacations, encourage your child to read and gift your child a book or two. For, reading is one of the true pleasures of everyday life. Happy reading together!* * * * *
