Parenting Book Review

When we think of reading, we often think of sitting and reading to our kids, or homework that our kids have now (or we had when we were in school) - read the assigned book, write a book report, take a test to make sure we really read it. Sometimes we think of reading the paper or a magazine or reference material to find information or to understand various contracts - especially the fine print. These are all normal, every-day ways that reading impacts our lives.

There is another, less often thought of way in which reading can have a positive impact on our lives and an enormous impact on the lives of others. That way is reading in service to others.

How can reading be of service to others? Actually, this can happen in some very simple but meaningful ways. For instance, often a school or a church will take students or members on “reading field trips.” These field trips can be to various places, such as convalescent or nursing homes, hospitals, even senior citizens clubs. Some field trips visit the blind or other people who have reading barriers. How encouraging it is for an individual who might not be able to read to have someone bring the words to them. How comforting to have someone take the time to read to them and just be there with them for a short time. How enriching for the reader, too, to know he is helping someone by allowing them the gift of reading - especially if they can no longer read for themselves.

The Latter Day Saints have a free reading program that reaches out to people. Jehovah’s Witnesses have many publications geared toward helping people - one on one - who may have reading barriers or literacy issues. These publications are designed to help improve a person’s basic command of reading over a six month period. Many people who have been trapped for years unable to read for themselves, have studied one of these publications in free weekly sessions for six months and have reported being able to read at least basic books and information for themselves after completion. Other churches, schools and libraries have reading groups and literacy programs that reach out to the community to strengthen its foundations in reading.

Reading can bring people together who might never have met. Perhaps a younger individual meets an elderly person by volunteering to read to them. There is no end to the information that the two could exchange and learn from one another. Perhaps a sighted person reads to a blind person. They will both be in a position to share information about one another’s experiences, perhaps bringing more compassion and understanding to one another.

The ideas could continue on. These are just a few to get folks thinking about how reading can be of service to others. Whether you are an individual wanting to give back or contribute something positive, or you are part of a church, school or community group, there are many ways you can be of service to others by reading. Take the time to think about it, talk about it and plan a reading activity. Not only will it be of service to others, it will enrich you and every person who participates - both readers and listeners.

When most adults think of comic books, they usually think of the experience they had with their parents when growing up and trying to read them.  It seems as though there were two types of parents - the ones who felt that as long as their child was at least reading something, even a comic book, it was better than reading nothing.  The second type of parent was the type who felt that comic books were a waste of time, and they either discouraged or forbade reading of them until the “child” was no longer young enough to stop them.  With this group, kids often figured out ways to read them away from the watchful eyes of their parents - either at school, or at a friend’s, or hanging out for a quick look at the magazine stand of the local market.

Fast forward a few years to the latter part of the 20th century and into the 21st century.  Not only have comic books become plentiful and above ground, they have become a phenomenon.   There are reprints of old comics, all the way back to original Superman, Batman, X-Men and others.  There are spin offs of all the super heroes.  There are new comics and newer comics popping up almost weekly.  To top that off, there are cartoons, TV shows and even full-length, multi-million dollar blockbuster movies with huge stars, all of which have made comic books a mainstream and widely accepted business.  Collectors are able to sell comic books on sites like EBAY for small fortunes!

But what about reading, learning and literacy?  Do comic books support these, especially literacy?  As we have discussed, there used to be two definite and distinct camps regarding the answer to these questions.  It seems, though, that as of late, especially with the increasing rise of electronic gadgetry which takes most of us away from at least some reading time, there is a different view of comic books by many, including parents, educators and kids, alike.

In talking to parents and children, we are hearing the benefits of reading in any form and at any level.  Often, a child who isn’t interested in reading the classics, such as “Tom Sawyer” or “The Old Man and the Sea” because he/she is intimidated by the length of the book and lack of pictures, will be excited to read a comic book that has a picture in every frame, thus stimulating creativity and helping the child to picture what the words are trying to say.  In addition, comic books are not overwhelming, since they can be taken, frame by frame, picture by picture, bite by bite.  A child that has a difficult time with other more “serious” forms of reading can often easily glide through a comic book, opening the way for advancement and movement toward reading more “substantive” works.

Next time you think about what your child - or any adult, for that matter - can read to become more comfortable with words, spelling, language, reading and literacy, don’t rule the comic book out.  It may be just the thing to lead anyone toward the classics, and from the way in which comic books and the comic book culture have evolved, comic books may be quickly becoming a staple in the quest for literacy.

Molly grew up in a household where education - especially reading - was considered important. From the time she was barely able to walk - or maybe even before - she remembers her mother and/or father reading to her in the evening sometime between dinner and bedtime. This didn’t happen every day, but it happened often enough during the week that Molly really looked forward to it. She started asking for books when she was very young, and her mom or dad would take her to get a book or two every week, and those books would be readers for that week.

Molly remembers sitting in a doctor or dentist’s office (she didn’t recall which) one day when she was four years old. She knows she was four because she was not yet in kindergarten. Her mother was inside, and she was sitting in perfect view of the nurse so the could keep an eye on Molly. Molly looked around for something to read, but there was nothing for kids, so she picked up a copy of LIFE Magazine, which looked like it had lots of photos in it. She started looking at all the photos and arrived at some photos about life on a farm. She began going through the pages to look at the farm life, but ended up reading the article. She didn’t understand all the words, and she couldn’t sound everything out, but she understood enough to know that it is hard work to run a farm. She learned that you had to wake up early - sometimes before the sun came up - and you had to feed all the animals, pick the vegetables, milk the cows, go to the marketplace, keep the barn clean and other things, too. Even though it sounded like it was hard work, it also sounded like fun, and Molly remembers the article to this day. She also remembers the reaction of the nurse after watching Molly read for a few minutes. The nurse asked Molly if she was reading the words, and Molly told her that she was. Molly read some of the article to the nurse and the nurse was astounded that such a little girl - four years old and very tiny for her age - read so well. The nurse asked Molly how she knew how to read and Molly told her that she and her parents read almost daily, and that her parents helped her sound out some of the words and explained the meaning of some of them, as well. Molly is grown now, with children of her own, and, yes, she reads with them regularly.

One of the important points about Molly’s story is that a parent can have a huge influence on a child’s reading, learning and education at a very young age. When parents begin reading with their children when they are barely toddling around the house, children become comfortable with words, with spelling and writing and reading. They also become comfortable with learning and look forward to it because reading worthy books together becomes a fun activity, not a test or a challenge.

Parents often think that reading with their children is a daunting and difficult task. The truth is that these days, there are various formats available including read-along video or CD/tape/audio, paper books and e-books. With so much variety, it is easier for parents - especially if the parent is not particularly comfortable reading to or reading with their child. Audio books are a wonderful tool, since the parent and child are able to listen to them together, while looking at the book itself. For older kids, audio books, often read by celebrities, may hold their attention. If the parent shows enthusiasm and enjoyment of reading, the child will usually follow.

In addition to the ideas we have already discussed, here are some ideas to encourage your child or children to read - and to give you the tools to encourage them:

1. Take them to the local library to look at the children’s section. Find out what types of programs they have for children and families. Many libraries have “Mommy & Me” or “Daddy & Me” reading groups, as well as story time programs at various times throughout the month. The “Friends of the Library” usually have books for sale at very reasonable prices, usually ranging from 25cents to $10.00
2. Take them to the local bookstore to look at the children’s section. Usually there are helpful sales persons available to assist you by asking questions about what the child’s interests are and what types of stories the child likes. They can show you various books to look through with your child and show you the sections where you can find other appropriate books.
3. Check with your child’s school to see if they have a reading club of some sort. Some schools have them at lunch or one day a week after school.
4. Check with the Boys & Girls’ Club or the “Y” for reading programs. They usually have daily or weekly after school reading programs or homework club, or a reading night once monthly.
5. Watch for book fairs at your child’s school or through your city, town or county. These are great fun, and whether it is a small book fair at a local elementary, middle or high school or a large book fair with lots of vendors and food and “book booths”, you and your child will find many new and exciting things to look at. Often at the book fairs, you and your child can meet authors, receive posters and stickers, pencils and other give-aways and goodies to take home.
6. Look online for book or author events, and information on specific authors or books. You and your child can have fun for quite a while, looking at lots of colorful things on the Internet - some of which are beautifully and creatively animated.
7. Watch for “Read Across America” events in the early spring, usually in the schools, often in conjunction with Barnes & Noble. This is great fun, and, since most of the events are all day with a pajama theme, it’s a great excuse to wear your pajamas and volunteer to read at your child’s school.

So, take the time to explore reading with your children. It will be an enriching adventure for the whole family.