parents, uncles, aunts, older cousins (practically everyone who has
the same last names as mine) reading at every opportunity given them?
Growing up during the 70′s (yes, Martial Law era) meant those trustworthy, precious, The Book of Knowledge for an encyclopedia (we had Britannica Encyclopaedia during the 80′s), shelves of novels and infinite editions of Reader’s Digest (Word Power and Laughter, the Best Medicine were top favorites) at my uncles’ houses and of course, our fabulous school library. Mom told me that even in grade school I’d read the newspaper (later on realizing that only meant Bulletin Today). I was just surrounded by reading materials and by people who were simply into reading, like it was the most natural thing for them. So I’m guessing, the “gaya-gaya” child that I was, had to also be reading like the rest of ‘em! With only a black & white TV competing with a Nancy Drew mystery novel, which one’s the better companion?
I think I got hooked into the habit when I was in grade 2 or grade 3, 8 or 9 years old then. Was in grade 5 when I finished the all the mystery books of Nancy Drew, then read Hardy Boys, bits of Bobsey Twins–though I didn’t stay much with them, found them too childish. Grade 7 meant Mills & Boon. By high school, I was devouring Harold Robbins and Sidney Sheldon. I was too much into reading to the point that I was skipping home works. And yes, my Mom wasn’t very keen on that!
Am still very much into the habit, more so now that the internet offers the widest variety of reading materials.
When I became a mother myself, I knew that reading, as a habit, must also be imparted to my kids. And boy, did I had a hard time. My kids are both products of the internet age. For example, when my son was 3 years old, he still couldn’t read then but he was able to play Sims Theme Park. All that was needed were his eyes, ears (clearly he had comprehension) and his right hand to navigate the mouse. Having the internet at home means a myriad of options, the TV (no cable subscription at home), their smart phones and yes, books at the shelves. Endless possibilities and choices! Which is why I have to continually encourage them to read.
My daughter came into the realization of how precious reading is after she watched her first Harry Potter movie (please don’t ask me what it was as I wasn’t into any of the HP novels). Having read the novel first then saw it in film was quite frustrating for her. She was telling me just how different the movie was and I couldn’t be happier. “So you see just how important and satisfying reading is!” That was just the perfect learning experience for her. I also had that learning experience after watching the TV mini-series version of Sidney Sheldon’s Rage of Angels. Jaclyn Smith played lead character, Jennifer Parker. Can’t remember the details anymore, only the strong frustration after watching it.
Imparting this habit is one of the most challenging tasks for parents living in this day and age. I’ve shared my views to friends, who are also parents with teenagers and we have almost similar past and present experiences, agreeing that our own parents breezed through this one.
In the meantime, let’s keep reading!
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