Why We Should Read To Children

For children to be literate and competent in school, learning to read early is an important factor. It is not difficult to read to children, but a conscious effort needs to be made by the parent or care-giver.

Being able to read is a skill. It has to be taught and learned. When was the last time you tried to learn a language and found it difficult and frustrating because there was no one to interact with you? To learn a new language, we need the exposure - to hear and speak.

Children, especially in their early years, are like sponges - they soak up everything that come their way. This is the best time to establish good habits and skills.

When children are being read to, they are challenged both mentally and linguistically. By reading a variety of materials, children are exposed to different topics and language skills.

During story-time or reading time, ask questions. It gives children an opportunity to think and rationalise their answers. It is also a good time for them to communicate back to you, the story-teller, what they think and feel.

10 reasons why it is important to read to children :

10. It is fun and relaxing for everyone.

9. It is a good habit to instill.

8. Encourages communication between parent and child.

7. Promotes bonding between parent and child.

6. Exposure to the different sounds and rhythm in languages.

5. Increases children's vocabulary.

4. Great way to teach values through stories.

3. Develops children's imagination and creativity.

2. Builds children's concentration.

1. Encourages critical thinking at an early age.

When parents and care-givers are willing to spend time to read one or two books a day, imagine how much knowledge and language skills children will receive by the time they start school!

Try working it out with math : 
2 new words a day x 365 days = 730 words in a year.

For a child who only gets to read at age one, when he/she reaches the age of 5, that will be :
730 x 5 = 3650 words!

That's just a minimum number of two new words a day from the books. Children also pick up words and meanings from daily conversation and songs.

Start a reading routine with your children today. Set aside a period of time to read together. Who knows, both you and your children might end up having so much fun reading that you can't stop!

Tanisha Burke, "Reasons We Should Read To Our Children", Jamaica Gleaner News

Ling's List - My Dream Come True

Have you ever had a dreams and goals when you were a child? I did. We had composition writing in school and almost every year, there'd be a topic titled : My Ambition / My Dreams / What I Would Like To Do When I Am An Adult...

I went through being a teacher, a police officer, a housewife, a journalist, an actress, a librarian and also having my own bookshop.

Most of what I dreamt of have come true and by no means mine. God works in wonders and He has made it possible for me to be many at the same time.

I'm a mum.
I'm an educator - I run a Family Day Care and that requires me to teach them.
I'm a housewife - I work from home and I do my housework too. Husband helps too.
I'm a qualified journalist - Graduated with a diploma and a degree in Mass Communications and Journalism.
I am now also a bookstore owner.

Having my own bookstore was one dream that was archived into the cupboard of impossible. First, to have the money to open a shop is already impossible. Secondly, having to purchase books is also a huge investment which I do not have.

However, after starting my own home-based business as a family day care mum, the thought of having an online store started bugging me last June. I thought and researched and planned. Prayed and talked to family and friends.

What should I sell? What should I call it? Where will I find my market?

Ling's List was finally born in February 2009, after 2 months of working on the website. Had to take a lot of first steps : Contacting and sourcing suppliers, learning about secure payments, listing items, etc. I bought a few items that I was not satisfied and did not list them. They're still sitting in my guest room.

The site sells books, ebooks, educational and gift items, beads and pendants. God has been good. He provided an average of 2 sales a month. I would like to see Ling's List grow into a stable income source, but it would not be possible if God's hands were not in it.

So, another birth of an idea in 2009. Do you have any birth of ideas to share?