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Children on the book beach
Apr. 26th, 2010 08:55 amI'll go with most of what Michael Norris says about encouraging children to read. But re his "5 points", viz:
■ Don't make reading a chore; it is not "good" behaviour.
■ Let your child choose their own reading from a handful of selected books.
■ Don't edit their choice by the age range on the back: see what they fancy.
■ Don't tell them what you enjoyed when you were their age.
■ Stand back and let your child talk directly to the librarian or bookseller
I have to scream very loudly at no 2 - what's with this "from a handful of selected books"? That'll be selected by an adult, right, and it's still directional. NO!!! Give the child the run of all the shelves in the house, the library or the bookshop and let him/her go with what he/she fancies. If it's truly unsuitable, as in too easy or too advanced for them to get anything out of it, it'll soon be put down. If a child perseveres with a book, it's certain he or she is getting something out of it. That's where no 3 is so important, and why it really isn't a good idea to put age ranges on the backs of books to "guide" parents. A book that seems to the parent too easy may be providing comfort; a book that seems too advanced may be stretching the imagination wonderfully. If parents have books at home they're really ashamed for the kids to see, then let them do what the bookshops do and put them on the top shelf, where they'll probably escape attention. But letting kids roam free among books is essential, because it's what you discover for yourself that stays with you. Would you take children to the beach and give them a handful of selected seashells?
■ Don't make reading a chore; it is not "good" behaviour.
■ Let your child choose their own reading from a handful of selected books.
■ Don't edit their choice by the age range on the back: see what they fancy.
■ Don't tell them what you enjoyed when you were their age.
■ Stand back and let your child talk directly to the librarian or bookseller
I have to scream very loudly at no 2 - what's with this "from a handful of selected books"? That'll be selected by an adult, right, and it's still directional. NO!!! Give the child the run of all the shelves in the house, the library or the bookshop and let him/her go with what he/she fancies. If it's truly unsuitable, as in too easy or too advanced for them to get anything out of it, it'll soon be put down. If a child perseveres with a book, it's certain he or she is getting something out of it. That's where no 3 is so important, and why it really isn't a good idea to put age ranges on the backs of books to "guide" parents. A book that seems to the parent too easy may be providing comfort; a book that seems too advanced may be stretching the imagination wonderfully. If parents have books at home they're really ashamed for the kids to see, then let them do what the bookshops do and put them on the top shelf, where they'll probably escape attention. But letting kids roam free among books is essential, because it's what you discover for yourself that stays with you. Would you take children to the beach and give them a handful of selected seashells?
