BIRTHDAY GIFT: STILL ON OUR CHILDREN

I am a teacher so you wouldn’t be surprised when I emphasize reading books to your child more than any other thing.

Of course you are spot on because if I don’t talk about reading books to get good grades and pass exams in flying colors, what else should I be shooting at?

However I want us to forget the school, exams and grades. Let’s focus on the child. Don’t forget there is a difference between been schooled and educated. Right now, I am talking about life which is bigger than any classroom activities.

I am talking about that place where you want your child to be in the next 20 – 30 years. That lofty dream you have at the back of your mind about him/her and you are willing to throw in the last bit of your salary to make it come to fruition.

When I look at little children playing, running around my compound, soiling the walls with their tiny pudgy hands, scribbling A, B, C, D or 1, 2, 3, 4, all over the wall, I smile. They say great things start small.

There is something about this period that is so unique. And if one fails to explore and utilize it, they may never be the same.

Thanks to science we can with certainty place our fingers on the reason behind the unique nature of children.

Amongst other features, the uniqueness of a child lies in formation and development of the brain.

Childhood can be likened to a piece of soft clay in the hands of a sculpture. It is an opportunity given to us by God to take the first shot in modelling our children.

It is the only period in one’s development when the brain makes complex connections that would last through one’s life time. Over 90% of the brain development process takes place during the childhood stage.

Most of these connections between neurons (in the brain) are as a result of the experiences a child encounters.

Thanks to science state of advancement, Scientists have discovered that reading has a way of stimulating and encouraging these connections.

Here are some tips from their research work:
1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents start reading out loud to their children from the time they are born.

2. Research has shown that children who are exposed to books at a young age have better vocabulary, higher literacy, pay attention and concentrate better.

3. The more exposure the brain has during this period, the more you enrich its networks which according to Horowitz-Kraus are related to social and academic ability.
4. In summary when parents read to their children, the difference shows in their behavior, academic performance and in their brain activity.

So how many books will you share with your child during this vacation?

Don’t forget what we discussed about conscious and unconscious learning. And also the importance of the unconscious learning phase in the life of your child.

Tomorrow, we will talk about the last but not the least important thing you need to apply in your child’s life. Then I can go offline and celebrate till the heavens bid me rest.

For further reading visit
http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/05/health/parents-reading-to-kids-study/