Parenting : Let’s Read!
Now that we are in Jakarta, I have to say … we are very ‘library-deprived’ here.
We enjoyed great libraries back in Singapore. Huge variety of children books, convenient and advanced library system, and basically, well-maintained libraries are just all over Singapore.
It’s really unfortunate that we don’t have such library facilities here. Well, not yet.
The only children library we’ve been to, the only one we know of, is the one at Anya’s school (pictured above)
Somehow here in Jakarta, it’s just more common to go to a big book store chain (called Gramedia), to browse or buy books.
So, given such a condition here in Jakarta, what do we do then to still nurture the kids’ love for reading?
> We visit book stores often. And the kids would then automatically head towards the children section and read something.
> Buy books for the kids every now and then.
> Read and re-read our collection of books at home.
I guess we just have to make do with what we have here, and think of ways that will NOT dismiss the kids’ interest in reading.
…
…imagination, growth, and improved reading skills soar when a child picks up a book.
Oh btw, I came across this article recently, which I totally agree with.
Here’s the passage I’d like to share with you:
Today, … almost every vehicle has a built-in DVD player and children watch movies on the road. While I think watching a movie or two is a great idea, I wonder if parents realize that they are missing the point of traveling as a family?
Reading together and the talking with your child about a book is your chance to bond, to attach, and to reminisce about your own childhood. Trust me these moments in time don’t happen very often.
Dr. Daniel Siegel, the amazing brain and relationship attachment author, says that such conversations are one of the most powerful predictors of a strong bond between child and parent.
Not to mention the fact that imagination, growth, and improved reading skills soar when a child picks up a book.
This year, whether it’s a vacation or stay-cation, put down the DVD’s and pick up a book.
Let’s read people!
…
Yes, the year-end school holiday is here!
Let’s not switch the TV on too much. Let’s not let the children’s eyes be glued too often to games on the computer, ipads or smartphones.
And … let’s read, everyone!
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Books are still much much better than any technology products/gadgets..
Thumbs up “applausr”, Yes to reading policy 🙂
Thanks for sharing Wilyn!
Reading together as a family is somehow increasingly less and less these days … Hope it’ll get better!
yep agree with you ci Leonny. i used to buy my baby sitter (terpaut 15 taun soalnya hehe) books from Gramed and the likes. buku-2 gambar2 and now that she’s 11, the thing she asked from me when we go to the malls are english novels! bingung juga yah kok ga ada national library di Jakarta ini…
Jeanette recently posted..White Christmas Cake
baby sister* maksudnya ahahha kok baby sitter.
Jeanette recently posted..White Christmas Cake
iya …sayang banget ya negara ini belum ada national libraries … Aku pernah denger ada ‘mobile library’ (kalau ga salah, kerja sama dengan Singapur). Semoga deh bisa satu hari ada access to good books, many good books, for the public. The more the people read, the better this country will be …
Reading is so so important and such a great hobby. I’m glad Sophia does like to read and I do hope she keeps it up. Actually its equally important that parents set a good example. Often we mummies are just dashing about cleaning, cooking, doing household chores, running errands and sending children to school when the children are with us, winding down to read only when they are asleep or at school but maybe just picking up a book and reading parallel to them (i.e. not necessarily reading to them) or even reading while they play, is good practice too. Just a thought.
Elaine recently posted..Puppets and popcorn
Thanks for sharing, Elaine.
True, it’s so important that we read ‘together’ with the kids too, not just ‘parallel’ to them … Setting aside time (from the already busy schedule) to read with the kids is a challenge to many these days though. Not impossible, but hard. Let’s hope more and more parents put in more effort too in this …
yes let’s read.. no TV, no games anda computer and no iPad…. those are rules in my house for the kid…
applausr recently posted..Belajar dari Petugas Parkir
Thanks for sharing Applaus! Seems to be impossible in many families to NOT have TV or iPads. Personally I have nothing against TV and iPad itself, but really … the excessive exposure and usage of such gadgets tend to do more damage than good …