Many parents today will not be able to answer this question. With our hectic schedules, we hardly get any time to spend with our children. But are we to be faulted for this? Does it matter much what our children are reading? Research points out that children start developing habits right from the age of 9. Practices such as reading can contribute in a major way to this process. So, yes! It is important for you to know what your kid is reading.
Traditional versus Digital
Today’s kids grow up with iPads and smartphones in their tiny palms. Has this led to reading taking a hit? Studies conducted at the international level suggest that it definitely has. So how can we combat this? Many parents are tempted to stick with these gadgets. They seek to use the multitude of audiobooks, kindle and reading apps to promote the habit of reading in their kids. But is this effective? A Singapore based study has found that e-reading has not been a huge success among kids. Most youngsters still prefer paper books as their favourite reading mode. The hardcopy reading is still seen to be producing better results. But what magic do books hold? Well, the problem lies with e-reading. This mode is seen to be more prone to distractions as young readers often flip through different apps while reading. Skimming is prevalent in e-reading and the degree of in-depth and attentive reading decreases.
Fiction versus Non-fiction
There is no surprise here that fiction is the most popular genre among children. Should this be viewed as a cause for concern? Well, your toddler or 10-year old who finds delight in reading Enid Blyton or Harry Potter may be outrightly petrified if you were to hand him/her the books of Fukuyama or Lee Kuan Yew. Yes, we should introduce our kids to non-fiction, but it should never be an imposition on them.
Fiction is the best way to introduce and strengthen the tendency to read among children. The progression to non-fiction should be natural and if a push is ever needed, parents must see to it that this happens in the most subtle manner. Encouraging newspaper reading among kids is another important point that parents need to give heed to. By doing so, you are helping your children know about the worldly happenings and preparing them for future challenges.
Is reading just a resource for fun?
It is true that youngsters, in general, enjoy reading fun books. In response to a survey regarding the factors for choosing a book, most children agreed that the primary factor was the ability to make them laugh. The element of mystery was the second most important factor. Again, parents need not worry much over this as with time and maturity, the tastes are also seen to change with regard to reading. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s encourage those young inquisitive ones to pick up books, regardless of how simple they may be. Better yet, let’s read together with them – creates bonding time, and improves their language skills, killing two birds with one stone!
Who We Are
Mission statement – “Empower every student to achieve full potential”
88tuition Pte Ltd provides PSLE tuition online for children looking to excel in their core subjects of Mathematics, Science and English. 88tuition’s PSLE tuition online learning materials help children get their basics right.
For the best PSLE math tuition, PSLE Science tuition and PSLE English tuition in Singapore? 88tuition with its clearly-defined online learning materials help children ace the PSLE exam with ease. 88tuition provides an interactive learning environment where parents can keep track of the progress of their children.
UEN 201817310C
271 Bukit Timah Road; #03-08; Singapore 259708
