A reader is a leader

It is in the times like these, when our children should discover the value and purpose of books and the role they play in history. This can be a solution to trauma by the way. I have always heard teachers, parents and the media complaining of the loss of the reading culture in Rwanda. Reading is not a talent. It is a skill that is learnt and acquired gradually. Now that children are back for their holidays, how many parents are taking time to read with their children? Do you think teachers get enough time to read with your children? Research has shown that children who read with their parents have a higher intelligence, reading ability and better communication skills. And there is an old age saying that he who reads, leads. Steven A.Corirossi, author of a children’s book, literacy advocate and motivational speaker, reveals that there are very few parents who read to, or with their children. I don’t know how many do it here in Rwanda. Some parents punish their children to get them to read books. This makes reading a form of punishment, thus making the children’s attitude towards reading, negative and yet we need to encourage our children to read! Corirossi says reading should be fun and entertaining. He advises parents never to associate reading with punishment or disciplining their children, that punishing their children by sending them into a room to read has a negative effect on their children’s interest in reading. He gives the following tips to parents and teachers, on how to inspire children to read: • Read to, or with your child at least 15 minutes a day. • Make going to the library a regular family outing. Go to the library at least once a month. • Find books or articles that your children are interested in, and join in on their enthusiasm about the subject. This is a key to their desire to read. • Subscribe to magazines that are appealing or appropriate to your child. Be involved with your child’s interest in the subject. • Read the same books that your child is required to read for school assignments and talk about them over dinner, in the car or at bed time. • Pick up a few crossword puzzles and do them with your children. Otherwise, parents should not think that, teachers are going to help their children develop their reading culture. They, too, do not have it and remember most of them are products of colonial education. They only read to pass exams and get work and that is the services they are offering to our children. Parents should make their children visit bookshops and libraries the way they visit bathrooms and toilets, if their reading culture is to boom in this nation. And as they go for shopping, let them always remember to buy both text books and educative stories like the Bakame Editions and Prof. Timothy Njoroge’s book, “From the hearts of Africa”. Rwandan parents are well known to have a culture of loving their children and this is always expressed in form of gifts, presents and taking them out. How many offer books as gifts and presents or take their children to visit libraries? They need to know that their children deserve their presence more than their presents. I always feeling flabbergasted whenever I meet parents hanging out with their children in bars and other funny hideouts! Remember he who reads leads. ndungutse.apolo@yahoo.com +250785297714