Page 37 - Silver Lakes April Issue 2023

TODAY’S CHILD

HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ

By Nicola Killops

hen I was a child, one of my worlds, stimulates the imagination, and deeper bond between parent and child.
favourite activities was the expands your knowledge. It is a hobby that It also instils a love for reading, which
Wweekly trip to the local library can bring a lifetime of pleasure. they can carry throughout their life. Aside
with my mom. I was an avid reader from from the emotional and social benefits,
a young age and grew up in a home filled Why should you read to your children? reading is also essential for the brain’s
with books. I vividly remember the first As a parent, you have the power to shape development. Studies show that reading
time a teacher introduced me to the your child’s future. Reading aloud with your accelerates brain development and
wonderful minds of authors like Roald Dahl, child, whether young or old, can create a improves cognitive abilities.
Judy Blume, and Enid Blyton. Although I
have adapted an evolved with the times –
getting most of my reading material in the
form of ‘e’ and audiobooks – nothing makes
me happier than browsing a traditional
bookshop. I run my fingers over the covers,
smell the pages and have to stop myself
from buying twenty books for the ever-
growing ‘to-be-read list.’

Unfortunately, reading has become a lost
art in today’s fast-paced world. With so
many distractions, forgetting the wonders
of getting lost in a good book is easy. Yet,
reading is one of the most wonderful
hobbies one can have. It opens up new

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