Page 12 - IFV Issue 3 March 2023

Lifestyle

HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD

TO READ

BY NICOLA KILLOPS

hen I was a child, one of Unfortunately, reading has become reading is also essential for the brain’s
my favourite activities a lost art in today’s fast-paced world. development. Studies show that
Wwas the weekly trip to With so many distractions, forgetting reading accelerates brain development
the local library with my mom. I was the wonders of getting lost in a good and improves cognitive abilities.
an avid reader from a young age book is easy. Yet, reading is one of the Reading also improves vocabulary
and grew up in a home filled with most wonderful hobbies one can have. and general knowledge, enhances
books. I vividly remember the first It opens up new worlds, stimulates empathy and emotional intelligence,
time a teacher introduced me to the the imagination, and expands your and even reduces stress. It develops
wonderful minds of authors like Roald knowledge. It is a hobby that can bring a critical thinking skills and encourages
Dahl, Judy Blume, and Enid Blyton. lifetime of pleasure. creativity. So how can you ensure that
Although I have adapted an evolved Why you should read to your children: reading doesn’t become a lost art in
with the times – getting most of my As a parent, you have the power your home? Here are a few tips:
reading material in the form of ‘e’ to shape your child’s future. Reading
and audiobooks – nothing makes me aloud with your child, whether young 1. Don’t fear or undermine
happier than browsing a traditional or old, can create a deeper bond technology: The modern world is
bookshop. I run my fingers over the between parent and child. It also filled with tech, and our kids need to
covers, smell the pages and have to instils a love for reading, which they be exposed to it if they are to keep up
stop myself from buying twenty books can carry throughout their life. Aside and cope with it as adults. This tech
for the ever-growing ‘to-be-read list.’ from the emotional and social benefits, has actually been incredible for kids

10 • Issue 3 2023 • The Villager