Raising a book loving generation

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Education Department of Basic Education Chair, Assist. Prof. Dr. Sarem Özdemir stated that many people had to stay at home and socially isolate due to the Covid-19 epidemic experienced across the world and went on to state, “All the systems and the parameters in the world changed. However, something that did not change is the fact that reading a book, whether by a child or an adult, develops the brain in many ways”.

Özdemir pointed out that if we want children to grow up as book loving children, then it is essential to read books to them from infancy up to their primary school years, and also noted that during children’s primary school years, reading books with your children is necessary.

Indicating that a plethora of studies have reached the conclusion that children who read books from an early age have better developed empathy skills as well as verbal and logical intelligence, Assist. Prof. Dr. Özdemir also stated that according to the results of many studies, book reading prevents diseases such as dementia and provides a longer and healthier life.

Emphasizing that parents who wish to raise children with a love for reading, should love reading themselves first, Özdemir said, “A child who takes their parents as role models will develop a positive attitude towards reading anyway”.

Reading can be initiated by frequently including characters the child likes in the books
Reminding that prior to reading, parents checking the book content beforehand is important, Özdemir went on to advise, "Books that contain plenty of images of a character that the child likes is a good starting point”.

Stating that in suitable conditions, library trips can be organized with the child, Özdemir continued, “While reading a book with their child, parents can dramatize what they are reading. For example, when reading a sentence that mentions a windy day, you can make the sound of wind with your child or act like you are walking in the wind and swaying from it”.

Sarem Özdemir stated that it is wrong to force your child to read and concluded, “Instead of such an approach, the child should be made to want to read a book themself. If reading-rituals are established weekly or daily, with reading days or hours created, the child will make it into a habit”.