In the words of the great writer George R.R. Martin, "he who reads lives a thousand lives, he who does not, only lives one." The habit of reading expands your vocabulary, stimulates your imagination and memory, allows you to develop analytical perspectives, facilitates the structuring of ideas and communication with others, and it is fun and relaxing.
Instilling in children the habit of reading, is usually a headache for some parents. Let's start with the basics: establishing a habit requires practice and discipline. It is said that a habit takes between 21 and 66 days to be implemented in the routine.
Here are some tips to encourage the reading habit in your little ones:
- First, make sure your child doesn't need glasses. Many times, children don’t develop the habit of reading because of ophthalmological problems.
- Make sure your children don’t suffer from dyslexia or any other aspect that prevents them from reading and / or writing properly. Watch them, listen to them; Closeness and supervision will help you realize their learning process.
- Children imitate: if you don't have the reading habit, how do you expect your child to develop it?
- Offer books that are appropriate to their age. Whether it’s bookshelves or nightstands, the important thing is that your child knows that there is a place (or many) where he or she can find books.
- Implement a specific time for reading. Yes, we know that the daily hustle can be very absorbent. However, it is crucial to open a slot for that habit. Start with small goals: initially, half an hour, then 45 minutes a day, up to an hour or two, depending on your load of homework or extracurricular activities.
- Set mutual goals: one story per week or one book per month. Go to bookstores and allow your child to choose a book that catches their attention.
- Plan visits to public libraries or Book Fairs together. In these spaces, there are usually activities exclusively for children that contribute to the development of the habit.
- Act it out. You can choose to read aloud the lines of a character and your child those of another character, with different voices ... Have fun reading!
- Developing the reading habit is an invaluable opportunity to endorse family ties and promote cognitive development in children.
At Ameyali Puerto Vallarta School we promote the habit of reading through different dynamics and techniques:
- We schedule readings and for each chapter or chapters read, students make summaries, stories or cartoons inspired by the readings. The intention is to bring fun into the activity.
- Each work derived from the readings is integrated into an Evidence Portfolio of the readings, which is nurtured with each activity that is performed.
- We carry out “staged readings” or make theatrical adaptations of some readings, to give a playful approach to the activities.
- We emphasize that it is important to have the support of parents at home, to give continuity to the development of the readings and the structuring of the habit.
At Ameyali School of Puerto Vallarta, our mission is the harmonious development of children through comprehensive methodologies, in a warm, inclusive and personal environment.
Reach out to us and live the Ameyali experience!