Read with Heart: Celebrating Stories that Shaped Us
Stories can be found anywhere, from the moment you eat breakfast to queuing in front of the train to your coworkers’ chats during free time. Communication is vital in our daily lives. This National Literature Month, we celebrate well-crafted masterpieces throughout the years that reflect how we communicate around and how an author’s words transcend space and time straight to your hands or your phones and tablets. In this article, we will tackle some helpful tips on how to appreciate the works of writers further and even teach your kids about the world of books this Literature Month.
1. Travel to libraries
Introducing your kids to books will benefit them in the long run. There are free libraries all around Metro Manila that are worth a visit. Some of those include: Quezon City Public Library, Ortigas Foundation Library, Valenzuela City Library, and the National Library of the Philippines. Exposing them to reading books early in life will help boost their reading comprehension, understanding, and even critical thinking.
2. Reading schedule
Home is the foundation of every kid. This is where we learn about things, explore skills, and talents before we go to school and later in life. Scheduling a reading time in your home will help your children grasp the basic elements of storytelling. Be engaging on what books they read and even ask about the characters and what characters are their favorite. Asking questions about their interest will encourage them to think critically about the stories and develop a deeper connection to the material and with themselves.
3. Encourage owning books
Buying a book and carrying it wherever you go promotes a sense of identity and ownership. There are lots of affordable bookshops and online platforms where you can find a wide range of literature. Consider visiting local bookstores or attending book fairs to discover new titles. Look for books that align with your child’s interests or introduce them to different genres. Encouraging your kids to own a book and engage with it will help hone their skills in understanding, pattern recognition, and critical thinking. If you need a reliable loan app to sharpen your kid’s reading but are looking for a budget to buy book/s, JuanHand has you covered. You can borrow up to P50,000, and the daily interest rate is only 0.025% daily interest with 9 months repayment terms. You only need a 1 Valid ID and get approved as fast as 5 minutes. If you are looking for an additional budget to develop kids’ love for books, sagot ka ni JuanHand!
4. Create a Reading Nook
To further enhance your reading, why not have a reading nook inside your home? An immersive space for your kid to read books will create a cozy and inviting atmosphere that fosters a love for reading. This space should feel like a retreat for your child, where they can escape into their books without distractions. You can also build a small library where your kid can place their favorite and future reads.
side view of smiling teenage multiethnic boys studying together while sitting on bench
5. Story creation
Books and short stories hold a universe of their own. Why not make your kids create a story close to their reading list and interests? Ask them to craft their tales, drawing inspiration from their favorite characters or themes they’ve encountered in their reading. This kind of activity will help them sharpen their writing and research skills, inspired by their recent read and favorite books from their shelf. Writing is also a great exercise to improve their use of grammar and creativity in the use of sentences and event narrative structure.
Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. This kind of exercise is a foundation for critical thinking, creativity, and competence in terms of grammar and storytelling. Absorbing stories from prominent and emerging writers and creating new ones will help develop their love for literature. Restoring reading in young kids can develop literacy skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. As they engage with different stories, they’ll not only gain new perspectives but also learn empathy and understanding of diverse experiences. It’s essential to foster a nurturing environment where reading and writing are not just encouraged but celebrated.
