Teaching children how to read

The most difficult part of being a student is reading voluminous work while the easiest is to avoid reading. Naturally, human beings love lax life where less effort is needed to get things done. A reading culture cannot be developed without effort and perseverance. Culture is defined as a system of beliefs, values, customs, behaviors and artifacts that members of a society use to cope with their world and with one another and is transmitted from one generation to the other through learning. It therefore goes without saying that developing a reading culture is not a spontaneous act. It is a permanent act that is imparted and developed over a long period of time. To establish a reading culture, the habit of reading for examinations, pleasure and information should be inculcated among students from their early years of schooling. The pre-school and primary school ages are very critical in building the attitude towards books and reading. The campaign to promote reading culture should be intensified at lower primary school level. The young children should be exposed to a variety of texts that relate to their immediate environment and culture. By identifying with the texts, interest in reading is aroused. Reading about culture not only educates the youth but also enhances their mental capacity and problem solving skills. Writers in Rwanda should come up with reading materials built on the Rwandan culture. Children should read stories about Rwanda’s traditional heroes and heroines as well as folk tales. The Rwandan culture is also rich in songs, poetry and proverbs that the current generation is ignorant about. By appreciating the local culture first, national pride will be cultivated. This will form the bedrock on which reading and appreciating other cultures will be built on. Reading has many benefits that enhance lives. One of the benefits is exercising the mind. The mind begins to bend and flex mentally and stays lose and limber. The regular routine ensures that the reading muscle stays in good shape as well as the mind. Just as physical exercise, there has to be a determination to make reading part of one’s life. The other benefit of regular reading is that it enhances the ability to focus. When the mind is trained and channeled, it begins to pay attention more thoroughly. For example, when faced with some of life’s difficult and challenging assignments, you will have the ability to stay calm and objectively look at the problem, circumstances or required task. Learning is also possible through reading. All people, great and small, have learned more things by reading them practically. When we continue to read, we have the ability to expand our minds tremendously. Developing a habit of reading is building a solid foundation on which to build. This foundation of reading will allow us to accomplish many goals and ambitions we have for our lives. The national library that is about to be open to the public should be seen as a treasure from which all should extract the precious knowledge of enlightenment. znyamosi@yahoo.com