Having raised two children, I speak from my experience on what I believe works best.
Reflecting back on those childrearing years, if I could start all over again, I would most certainly do some things differently, i.
e.
hindsight knowledge, there is nothing like it.
If only we could fast forward into the future and back again, we would be wiser from the get go.
With that being said, if I were raising kids today, I would not allow my children to watch any television, videos or engage in the internet until they were in high school.
I think children should be raised with books and music to stimulate and enhance good brain development.
As parents, we should promote positive intellectual growth, concentration and good study skills.
I believe reading and comprehension are the most essential factors someone can acquire in life.
Having these crucial factors can contribute greatly to one's success level, that and ambition.
The faster you can read, assimilate information the faster you will learn and build valuable skills.
I think by putting emphasis on reading with positive reinforcement stimulates children to focus in this area and build good habits.
They will show an eagerness to learn more with the proper encouragement.
Getting children interested in reading has to start at a very early age.
I think the ideal age to commence reading is age 2 if not sooner.
Begin the process by reading a short story.
Then read the story again by having them follow along with the words.
Point out words, tell them the word, spell it and discuss the meaning.
Ask them to do the same as a game.
Use flash cards to develop vocabulary and spelling skills.
Take frequent trips to the library to reinforce the importance of reading and books.
Select books that teach a lesson or explore areas of science, math, the arts, famous inventors, the classics.
While developing the reading skills, develop your child's writing skills by having them critique the books that they read once they are at a writing age, i.
e.
what they liked and didn't like, the author's writing style, unleash the doors to creative thinking.
In my opinion, the bottom line is that poor scholastic performance is a result of poor reading skills.
Homework assignments involve reading whether it is reading in a book or reading instructions.
Children who struggle with reading will become overwhelmed, neglect the work and require parental participation to complete an assignment.
Not doing well in school leads to poor performance and self-esteem.
Once they are plagued by poor performance the situation can spiral out of control.
Children will frequently seek acceptance from other non-performers or delinquents.
As a side bar, I once heard or read that whatever item in your home is given the most emphasis that it will become the main focal point for children.
So if you are one of those people with the large flat screen television who constantly has it on, you are subtly suggesting that this television is the most important item to you and will soon become theirs too.
When seeking daycare, look for ones that do not watch videos or movies for downtime but instead emphasize reading by reading to the children and or by teaching them to read.
Watching videos and movies, is the lazy person's way of babysitting, it requires less interaction or work with the children.
I am guilty too.
I remember those days of coming home after a long hard day at the office and while I was making dinner, I would put on the Barney video or Disney movie to keep my son entertained and quiet.
Having one son who grow up with the TV and one without, I can attest to a definite difference.
My son without the TV lives for reading one book after another.
He is well versed in many subjects and can discuss the philosophies of many religions.
He has a 3.
7 GPA.
My other son, raised on Barney and Sesame Street and the computer, struggles to make the grade.
I feel if he could just read, read faster and comprehended the material, he would do much better.
Being a teenager, he lacks the motivation to excel.
Trying to explain it to him does no good, in one ear and out the other.
So to get your child interested in reading, you must start them on the right foot early while you still have the upper-hand and they still worship your existence.
I started reading at age 4 and continue to be an avid reader.
Being a good reader allowed me to be a good student.
I would excel in many subjects because of my comprehension skills.
I was able to teach myself subjects like Calculus.
Later, in my employment years, reading extensive contracts, interpreting and negotiating became my forte.
Reading quickly and assimilating the information was vital to mitigating risk and establishing successful relationships with clients.
Today, almost everything we do is a contract whether it is an oral agreement or signing the financial responsibility contract with our doctors or signing our mortgage note or car lease.
Reading and comprehension is crucial to reducing future financial nightmares.
Don't be afraid to pen in alternative language to a contract and initial, just because someone of importance presented doesn't mean you have to live with it as is and sign it.
Since I cannot change history, hopefully I can change the future in some way.
Maybe I will have an opportunity in the far off future with grandchildren.
I know I will definitely state my opinion and visits to my home will be books only.
Another subject I would introduce at an early age is a foreign language; children prior to going to kindergarten are mental sponges.
Maybe you have heard the saying "Everything you need to know in life is learned before age 5".
I believe this to be true because our protected world goes from small to big as we become adults.
We become saturated with numerous stimuli simultaneously, which presents challenges to our ability to learn; the stress and fear factor are also added.
Once kids start school and are introduced to other kids, bad habits and attitudes may be picked up.
Kids will naturally gravitate to silliness; seek ways to impress others or to be accepted by peers.
So start reading and building lifelong skills when your child is young.
Remember to thank all our Teachers.
Thank you!