Why Don't They Play the Piano? The Reading Habit and Its Setting
Reading is a long habit that begins in childhood. Read about the setting that makes books appealing, being a role model and the value of book fairs, from a teacher's pen.
There are good habits and bad ones. Reading is a way of life that begins with the tales we hear from an early age, settles into our inner world over time and becomes something we cannot part from. The family holds the first and greatest share in instilling this awareness in a child. In this article, we look at the setting that nourishes the reading habit and the power of being a role model.
A Reading Child Comes from a Reading Family
Children learn the reading habit by imitating their parents. Just as the family plays a decisive role in everything from the places we visit to the food we eat, only a reading child grows up in a reading family. A home where books are read is a home that has a library. A child who grows up with the mystery of a library lays the foundations of the habit even before learning to read and write, simply by leafing through the pages.
For parents who do not read to dictate reading to a child through pressure is deeply mistaken; the child should see the book not as a chore but as a haven to retreat to.
Making the Book Appealing
If we want the thing a child never wants to part from throughout life to be a book rather than a phone, we must make the book appealing:
- Stop by the bookshop: Whenever you go out, always step into a bookshop; let the child discover a book that draws them in by its cover or by a few of its sentences.
- Leave the choice to them: A child given freedom in their first choices will eagerly want to read the next book; you offer gentle guidance from a distance.
- Go to book fairs: Book fairs, author talks and signing days are events that make reading beloved.
Asking "Why don't they read?" is like asking "Why don't they play the piano?" Reading is the result of long habits that begin in early childhood.
In brief
- The reading habit is a long process that begins in childhood.
- A home library and a role-model parent are the strongest foundation.
- Bookshop visits and fairs are experiences that make reading beloved.
You can find ways to make reading beloved in our article Don't Just Say "Read!", and the parent's role in raising a book lover in this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my child read through pressure?
No. Pressure makes the book feel like a chore. For the child to see the book as an enjoyable haven, the setting and a role model are far more effective.
Does setting up a home library really make a difference?
Yes. A child who grows up surrounded by books lays the foundations of the habit by leafing through the pages, even before learning to read and write.
What is the benefit of taking a child to a book fair?
Fairs, author talks and signing days turn reading into a tangible, enjoyable experience and heighten the child's interest.
Gökkuşağı Koleji · Reading, a lifelong habit.