My seven-year-old son dislikes reading. I used to buy him different children’s books hoping that one or two may happen to arouse his interest. However, I was too impatient to read to him and explain the stories. Storytelling had become a stressful chore and I was discouraged by his interrupting questions.
I gained a precious lesson from the First Teacher Training. This workshop held in my son’s school was organized by Bring Me A Book. Trainer Percie shared with us the importance of reading-aloud and some techniques of storytelling. My attitude towards my son was totally transformed. Skills learnt in the workshop are not only applicable to shared reading but also parent-child communication.
Just as Percie said, reading isn’t giving your kids a general education lesson or a lecture on morality. Reading aloud is all about enjoying precious moments with your child – the coziness and intimacy. Let your child immerse in a joyful and relaxing environment and in this way they will naturally absorb the messages you convey. Compared to coercion, such methods do not cause hurt feelings. Plus, shared reading in a happy environment is definitely the most precious and memorable episodes in life.
This new read-aloud method was proven right! Get engaged
in the story and apply some enriching techniques. My son feels loved and cared, so do I! This gratifying and precious experience is priceless.
Naomi, partcipant of Community Training Program (CCC Kei Wah Primary School ,Kowloon Tong)
