Encouraging your child to read

Give your child some control. Struggling readers often complain that reading is too hard, and they give up quickly. Guide them in selecting an easier book. Also, support your child if he/she decides to take on a longer book. You can take turns with the reading, perhaps alternating paragraphs or pages. Or you can ‘act out’ the story - your child can read the dialogue, and you can be the narrator by reading  rest of the text. At first, let the child read without comprehension. Sometimes, focusing on both can be tough. Once you are more comfortable focus on the meaning. Reading well is about comprehension too. If your child is stuck on a word, don’t just, ‘sound it out’ right away. Talk about the text and ask questions. Help your child figure out the word from the context of the rest of the passage or the pictures. Try not to interrupt on small mistakes while reading, unless it is crucial to understanding the book.

Have fun with word play. Tell jokes with puns, and play games that involve words, such as Scrabble, Boggle and hangman. Solve as well as build crossword puzzles together. Keep a record of what your child is reading. Use an incentive chart (where the child gets stickers or a special treat) to help encourage more reading, or have your child keep a reading diary or simple list. In a reading diary, children can also write down their thoughts about the books. Children can be encouraged to keep a journal of all the books they have read, the authors and and a personal rating for both.This helps them with their writing as well.

Encourage writing. Reading and writing go together. Children can practice their writing skills by making lists, keeping a journal, making a catalogue of their various hobby collections, or writing letters and emails to friends and family. Visit the library, and create one at home. If there are more books than toys in the house, a child is more likely to pick up a book when there’s nothing to do. Also, get your child a library card as soon as you can. Make a library visit part of your weekly routine.

Ideas for kids reading session

Example: Bubbles Finds a Red Ball by Sterling Press

Summary of the Story
Bubbles finds a red ball in the park. He is playing with it, when another boy comes looking for the ball. Bubbles honestly returns the ball to him. They become friends and play together.
Introducing the Story
• Read the title of the book on the cover, pointing to each word as you say it. Have your child repeat the title as you point to each word.
• Turn the page and point to the picture on the title page. Ask: What do you call these? (They are overalls.)

Reading the Story for the First Time
• Read the story, moving your finger under the words as you read.
• After reading the story, ask: What color ball do you have? Have we ever taken it to the park? Recalling the Story
• After you have finished reading, ask your child the, recall questions below. Continue to ask these questions when you reread the book, until he or she knows the answers. Reading the Story Again and Again (only with the child's permission)
• Give open-ended prompts on each page. For example, ask: What is happening in this picture? What does Bubbles do? Do less reading of the words to the story each time you read, leaving more and more of the "reading" or retelling to the child.
• Give prompts about objects or activities in the pictures. For example, ask: What is the policeman wearing? (It is a police uniform.) What toys were there on the shelf? (There is a helicopter, motorbike, a car etc.) Use your finger to point to what you are asking about. Evaluate the child's response. Expand by giving more information. Ask your child to repeat the answer. If he or she needs help in answering a question, ask that question again the next time you read the book.
• You may wish to discuss the prompts shown below. Building Literacy at Home. Support your child's learning at school.
• Read this book at least three times, following the instructions above.
• Your child can "picture read" Bubbles finds a red ball to another family member by explaining what is happening in each picture.
• With your child, make up another story about Bubbles. What might happen at a grocery store or a playground?
• Go to the park together. Help him pack a carry bag for the parks, a ball, a bottle, some snack etc. Recall parts of the story as you play at the park.
Recall Questions
Ask the following questions to check your child's understanding of the story.
1. What is the name of this book? (The book is called Bubbles finds a red ball.)
2. Where does Bubbles find the ball? (She takes him to the Park.)
3. What does Bubbles find? (He finds a ball.)
4. Why does Bubbles return the ball? (Explain the answer.)
5. What does Bubbles get in return for being honest? (A friend.)

Television Time for Kids

Television Can Effect the Learning of a Child

It is estimated that a child in the United States will have watched about 4,000 hours of television before he begins school. If he's four years old when his schooling begins, he's about 35,040 hours old. He has already spent roughly an eighth of his life watching TV! India is not very far behind. Most experts agree that, this is simply too much. But good television is important. It can spark a child's curiosity and may open up new worlds. It's an important learning tool when used properly. Monitoring what your child watches and how much time he spends at it will enable you to make appropriate use of television. It will give the child a healthy perspective about TV and help him to have a constructive relationship with it. As soon as your child begins to watch television, become active about fostering good viewing habits.

Un-monitored and excessive viewing poses various threats:
• Exposure to sex and violence
• Unhealthy influence of junk food and toy commercials
• Create confusion about good values (it can contradict what you've taught them!)
• Hinder a healthy differentiation between reality and make belief
• Passive viewing for extended periods can hinder social and intellectual development
• Makes them impatient in real life situations as they get used to high stimulation

These dangers are only a threat if you aren't involved and active. There are lots of ways to regulate your child's TV intake. Try keeping a log of how many hours of television your child watches in a day, a week and a month. Take careful note of what they watch. As a rule of thumb, keep the time to less than two hours a day.

Get Informed Learn about the current TV programs and choose the very best, the ones that best suit your child's taste and will be most meaningful for your family. Disney and Nick also have a lot to offer. Here are some programs for young children you might consider:

•  Sesame Street
•  Dragon Tales
•  Dora the Explorer
•  Be There for TV Time

TV is a great way to teach a new language. Hindi is the national language of India. We do not speak that at home, but my children learned Hindi from the television. Kids can watch Spanish channels regularly and you will be surprised at how fast they pick it up. Participate in your child's TV time. Make a plan for what you will watch together. By being present, you'll teach your child how to watch TV while being considerate to other viewers. You will also be there to answer any questions that any good show will inevitably bring up.
o Pay attention to how your child responds so you can offer guidance from time-to-time.
o Discuss the program with your child when it's over and include your whole family in the conversation.
o Be sure to keep the TV turned off until it's time to start watching, then turn it off again when your show is over.
o It's important not to let the TV babysit your child or become your child's best friend.
o Carefully monitored television viewing can add value to your child's exploration of life, but too much TV and the wrong kind, can hinder that exploration. It's a delicate balance, but it's not difficult to maintain, all it takes is awareness and attention.