Ten ways to encourage literacy in your child's life

Every year, September 8 is celebrated as International Literacy Day all over the world. UNESCO marked the day in 1965 in order to celebrate the importance of literacy globally.

Contrary to common perception, literacy is not only related to one's ability to read and write effectively, but also to create, design, communicate and interpret. The latter list of abilities benefits an individual by empowering her to function effectively as an active member of the society. As parents, we always think about ways to develop superior literacy skills in our children. Let me share some simple day-to-day activities that I used:

1. Encourage the habit of reading in children. You can do so by reading newspaper articles, fictional stories, comics, blogs, et al to them. You may share with them what you enjoy reading:your favourite authors and stories, interesting plotof a book that you enjoyed reading or movies that you liked which have been adapted from famous novels. However, make sure that you pick themes that will interest your child, because if it is something that she does not like, it will never draw her attention and interest.

2. Another way to encourage reading in children would be to facilitate the exchange of books with their friends. This will give them an opportunity to explore various other reading options that they might not have picked or chosen themselves. It would be interesting to follow up these book exchanges with character dress-up parties. In these, all the friends can come together for a party, where they dress as a character from the book they just finished reading. This will give the children an opportunity to come together and talk about the book they have read.

3. You may even take your child to libraries or bookstores where she will get an opportunity to pick and read books of her interest. This will act as the biggest motivator for her. In addition, once you are familiar with your child's interests you may subscribe for various books that she likes.

4. Another interesting thing to do would be to take your child to watch movies or plays that have been adapted from famous novels. You could even make reading fun for your children by creating a song or comic strip based on the book.

5. Create a word wall in the house where you can share new and interesting words or phrases with your children. Make it a habit to discuss the word wall once a week. You can make it a fun activity by adding slang or funny phrases in vogue.

6. If you have a friend or family staying outside India, get in touch with them or their children and encourage your child and them to read a common book. Once they have read the book, facilitate a way for them to get together and share their views. It will be interesting for your child to compare her views with people living in a different cultural set-up.

7. Inspire your child to maintain a journal in which she can write about memorable experiences, day-to-day events or even her dreams.

8. If that is something your child is not too keen on doing, engage her by sitting together to write short stories or comics. You may even encourage your child to participate in various writing competitions that could include activities like story writing, poetry writing, script writing, writing and directing plays, et al.

9. Promote peer teaching, such that your child gets a chance to mentor a younger child, who could be a sibling or a friend. This will help your child take on a responsible role and understand how to empathise. You could even do so by collaborating with an NGO that works towards educating underprivileged children or adults.

10. Encourage your child to donate old books that she has read or no longer uses, to underprivileged children or families. You could even donate them to foster homes or NGOs that work at providing educational help to underprivileged children and families.