The meaningful involvement of parents as a teacher to their children is indispensable not only in educating them with moral and social values but likewise in the development of their intellectual abilities by reading habits utilizing various stimulating techniques.
Parents play the vital role in the development of reading skill in habit. Researchers have shown that pupils who read when they were 2-5 years old often became efficient and skilled readers. Those who were retarded in reading were usually the educationally disadvantaged – those who came to school far less ready for normal performance because of some deprived conditions in their home environment. A child will surely experience joy, satisfaction, confidence, appreciation, and enjoyment in his school work if he possesses the reading skill school before entering school. Parents misconstrue that it is the teacher’s obligation to teach everything to their children and not theirs.
Parents no matter how busy should always find time in teaching their children. They want them to become efficient and skilled readers and develop high reading performance. Consistent teaching is indispensable to develop the reading skill and habit among children.
Parents do have to develop reading skill and habit among their children. It is positive attitude toward educational goals and interest and ambition towards educational goals, interest and ambition that matters: not their education that makes the difference .In the developing and promoting their children s reading skill and habit, here are some suggestions:
1. From birth on, talk to them, listen to them ,listen to them sing ,play and laugh with them. Tell them stories. Answer their questions.
2. Read to your children as much as you can. Show them that reading is interesting and enjoyable. Have books and magazines around them .Let your children see that you are reading for pleasure.
3. Ask children question about what they have read. This stimulates their thinking and comprehension.
4. Be on the lookout for any vision, hearing, health or learning disabilities.
5. Limit the use of television. But be realistic. Media is a part of life. Television whether we like it or not, has a place in the education of children today.
6. Make sure children understand the importance of the development of reading skill and habit for one’s enhancement and improvement.
By: Eloisa F. Cuevas | Teacher I | Sabatan Elementary School | Orion, Bataan
