How to encourage children to read
Dear Nanay,
I just discovered your column in STAR a few weeks ago and I must say that I enjoy it very much. I have also seen the weekly discussion about reading and how it is important to our children.
I am sorry if this question has been asked before but I would like to know what is the best way for me to encourage my children to read. I am the mother of two very young boys, ages one and two. And I don’t think I want any more because having two kids is more than a handful!
Thank you and more power to you. — Myrna Angeles
Dear Myrna,
First of all, why do you want to stop at only two children? Di ba sabi nga nila (don’t they say), the more the merrier! Joking aside, reading and education have always been my advocacies so I never hesitate to try and promote them whenever I can. So please do not apologize for asking me anything about reading.
I think the best thing that you can do to encourage your young sons to read is to spend time reading with them…every day. If you can set aside 30 minutes or one hour each day and read with them, this will go a very long way in keeping them interested in books as they grow up. When you read to them, you might think that they do not understand what you are saying or that they are not listening. But believe me, nakikinig ang mga bata (they are listening). And that is how they learn. They are like sponges for information. They learn a little bit each day and after a while before you know it, nagbabasa na rin ang mga anak mo (they are reading on their own)!
In today’s world of video games, television and the Internet, it is very easy for our children to turn away from books, which require “more effort” to enjoy. Walang “instant gratification” ang libro (There is no instant gratification from books). But it is also precisely this “effort” that is needed to help feed their minds and develop their abilities.
Make the investment today. Commit your time and energy while it is still early. And I assure you that when your children are ready for school, and you see how well prepared they are and how well they will do, you will be very thankful that you took my advice and spent all those hours reading with them during their early years.
Sincerely,
Nanay
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Working Too Hard & Not Having Fun
Dear Nanay,
It is the start of a new year again and like most people I am reassessing my life, my job and my goals. I suppose most of my life really has to do with my job which, although I am happy with it and am really having fun, takes up so much of my time because we are so busy in the office that I have to work overtime almost every day and go to work on many weekends as well. I love my job and I know that I am learning a lot, but don’t you think I should get a life outside of the office also? I feel like I am losing out. All my friends are enjoying the fun things in life while I am usually stuck in the office. — Stuck At Work
Dear Stuck At Work,
I think there are two ways you can look at your situation. You can see yourself as rendering too much overtime, working too hard and losing out on the other fun things in life. Or you can see yourself as investing in your future, learning everything you can, moving up the corporate ladder and “having fun” at the same time.
I guess it just depends on what you are looking for and how you see things. Think about it … what is more important to you? Since you are reassessing your goals for the New Year, think about where you want to be in five to 10 years and what you have to do today in order to get where you want to be. Then you can make your decisions based on that.
Lastly, if you ask me, parang mas gusto ko na yung sobrang dami ang trabaho ko sa opisina imbis na wala akong ginagawa (I would rather be doing a lot of work in the office than not doing anything at all). Because a job that requires so much overtime and hard work is usually a sure sign of success whereas a job that requires little effort and no work is usually a sure sign of mediocrity.
Sincerely,
Nanay
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If you have a question, e-mail us at asknanay@nationalbookstore.com.phor just drop your letter at drop boxes in all National Book Store branches nationwide.
