FANCY! Science fiction! Romance! Leisure! Adventure! Sagor! Everyone is competing for your child's attention. "Buy me the book!" "I want to read this story!" Do you hear these words from your young people? Will this encourage you to read? If so, read what?
It's not that all children want to immerse themselves in a book. Research shows that television has hampered reading for many children. Regarding television, one researcher noted: “Children's eye experiences are critical to how they read and how they read what they read [and] how they feel when they read. ". Therefore, many teachers and psychologists recommend less television and more reading.
And most parents want their kids to have fun reading. They know it is a skill to feed. A teacher's advice sums it up very well and says, “Reading has a direct impact on our lives. The nature of our work, the skills we develop, our zest for life, and our spiritual growth are all tied to our reading ability. Without this reading ability, much of the richness of learning and experience is denied. ""
On the other hand, does that mean that you should be so grateful to see your child reading that you have provided them with the material they want? Or should you check what your kids are reading?
What is your goal?
A large selection of children's publications is printed. There are currently over 150 publishers of children's books and over 250 children's magazines in the United States and Canada alone. Doesn't the type of material a child eats affect their expectations, relationships with others, and self-perception? Ask yourself: What opinion should I have right in front of my child? What moral standards should I promote?
Nowadays, it is common practice to adopt the philosophy of letting children read and watch whatever they want so that they can "establish their own moral values". In fact, this perception allows other people to get a sense of your child's life.
But don't all parents expect healthy, balanced and stable children? Don't want your kids to be successful and encourage them to develop skills? So how did you ... do it? A biblical proverb answers: “Train the child in his own way; Even as you get older, you won't stray from it. (Proverbs 22: 6) Parents, of course, should watch what their children read and play. It becomes even clearer when you think about the power of the young spirit in a story.
Reading is Believing
A mother watched her son read a story about how the “wise spider” saved the “stupid pig” from slaughter. After all, he was so moved that he kissed the spider illustration! Are there any doubts as to how much the story touched him or how 'real' it was to him?
A child's writer saw this power when he said, “The truth is, children read with all their hearts. At the beginning you might ask, "Is this true?" But even if you say, “No, it's just a story,” it will never be just a story to you. It's a life to live, to live a full and real life. In addition, author Alice Dalgliesh pointed out how stories affect children: “Adults sometimes don't know how often children's books become action: the child draws or dramatizes what he reads or plays. contains in his life. He speaks.
What incredible strength! Using the stories, the child can suddenly find themselves in an African jungle or in space or travel with the prince in search of the princess.
Particularly powerful are “parables” or important stories. A mother of several children tells how her little children, mean to each other, were touched by the story of a tree and a boy. The tree gave the boy parts of himself on several occasions until all that was left was his stump. Commenting on the children's reaction, the mother commented: “It is now evident that all of my children do not identify with the child but with the tree, which they believe found more satisfaction in giving than the baby. never had one. your shot. ""
Yes, you can learn to live a life. It can stimulate imagination and creativity. Young people can better understand the "bigger world" outside their neighborhood. It is possible to develop a sense of the past: history. But are all the books in the children's section of the library or bookstore equally useful? Maybe not. Recent changes in children's literature should not be ignored. A quick look at the development of youth literature shows the new trend.
Development of children's literature
Publishers have been trying to appeal to young readers since a Frenchman published Mother Goose Rhymes in the late 18th century. In the 19th century, the brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm began to record German folk tales. At the same time, Hans Christian Andersen went to Denmark to write folk tales for generations. In England, Lewis Carroll produced Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
A variety of materials have been developed since its inception. Many stories are adapted from old "folklore", usually a mixture of exaggerated history and myths. Others face current situations. Today's children's literature is generally divided into four categories:
(1) Non-fiction books. This includes encyclopedias and guides for children. It can help a child overcome his fears, try new things. There are textbooks for children on how to plant a garden, how the gas engine works, how to get flowers and even how to handle money.
Books that teach the alphabet and "new words" can really help young people expand their vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension.
(2) sagor. They are folk tales about fairies, dwarves, wizards and the like. In these stories, the solution usually comes in supernatural or magical ways.
(3) fantasy. These are the works of famous authors. But as fairy tales describe the creatures and events that do not exist in real life. Modern fantasies often occur in space on other planets.
(4) fiction. This category contains books that describe the world as we know it, although the characters and situations described were invented by the author.
In the latter category, the most radical changes have occurred in recent years. Thus, a children's author, Jane Yolen, described the new trend: “In children's books, there are no more taboos except bad taste. . . . What you did not even whisper in the living room and laugh at the bar is now legit food for young readers. The old-fashioned notion that certain things should be forbidden to children just because they are young is no longer fashionable. ""
He cites the reasons for this change as (1) more educated children, (2) the abundance of home newspapers describing the world of today and the murder of politicians, struggles for contraception, changes in sexual morality. "" "
While many do not agree with his reasoning as to why the current "style" exists, there are in fact many themes that now exist in children's literature that did not exist 10-15 years ago. A look at the latest headlines reveals discussions about intoxication, divorce, sex before marriage, pregnancy, abortion, homosexuality and senility.
In addition, the current tendency of some children's writers is to see it as biased and limited to write with a "moral purpose", that is, to lead young people from evil to good. This is "advertising". According to her, they should not be "the good guys" against the "bad guys", the heroes against the bad guys. They argue that the author should not preach to young people. Instead, it should tell a compelling story.
What can parents do?
Of course, it is not advisable to classify all of the literature as "totally bad" or "totally good" in any of the previous four categories. Both parents should consider their children's emotional needs, depending on their age and how the literature may affect that particular child.
For example, consider the story category. Some will say that the child is enriched: the imagination is excited, good generally triumphs over evil. Others claim that such stories anchor superstition and encourage an unhealthy view of the supernatural. Moreover, they can make the child live in a dream world and wait for magical solutions to life's problems instead of realizing the need to put effort into achieving desired goals.
Parents must decide. But no matter what you think, isn't it important to see each of your children as individuals? A child can already have many “daydreams” and it would be desirable to turn his young mind in other directions.
"But how do I know how your stories affect him?" Can I ask. Its not always easy. Besides reading, there are many other influences on a child's life. But there is an approach that can help you learn a lot about what really touches your child's heart.
Read the story together. Kids love this attention. It offers an emotional way for children who like to read to encourage those who don't like to read very much. Indeed, some teachers believe that when parents read to young children who cannot yet read, this creates an impression or "tendency" initially favorable to reading in the child.
And you might be surprised at what conclusions your child can draw or what aspects of the story fascinate them. Ask your child, "What do you think of this person?" "What did you like the most about this story?" Considering the answers, you might want to make some changes and possibly balance the amount of fiction with more non-fiction. This has the added benefit of not only encouraging your child to read about other people's adventures, but also learning how to do things.
Of course, this approach doesn't eliminate the need to think about what books you can buy from home. For example, you probably want to show modern stories in the fictional category. Shouldn't you be deciding exactly when to teach your baby about sex, pregnancy, and abortion? While young people should learn that good people can make mistakes, can they really get help developing their personality by reading about winning villains?
Would you also like your child to believe that "maybe [the power] is doing the right thing"? Shouldn't children learn that there are good and bad lessons and that principles are important? Many people believe that comics with “superheroes” destroying everything in their path are dangerous “role models” or examples for young people.
Even in the realm of non-fiction, it can be helpful for parents to read the book before giving it to their children. Some books describe certain races or nationalities negatively, while others contain very dogmatic statements.
For example, a science book can represent things in a very real way. It can be argued that all life on earth has evolved in minor ways, suggesting (or even saying) that the biblical creation account is simply a "religious myth." This may contradict the religious instruction the young person receives. While parents may decide that the overall value of the book will motivate the child to read, parents may first discuss some of the views expressed in the material with the child.
Everything takes time. But he says you care. You want your child to learn, but you want them to know what's best for them and for their happiness. The reality of this world cannot be avoided. There is a time and a way to bring them to every child. Do not underestimate how much your guidance, your love, can support your child's spiritual and emotional development as you have been entrusted with the little new life which is usually full of miracles and a desire to learn. more children's literature than ever. There is also a lot of competition for your child's time: television and more leisure options. You are right to encourage your children to read. But it is advisable to take an interest in what you read to check your youthful energy.