Colleen Thompson, Contributor

Students of Point Hill Primary and Junior High School, St Catherine, discuss an issue in one of the many reading books used at the school. - JIS Photos

Getting your child to experience the joy of reading is quite rewarding. It gives a thrill that can last for a long time. It is essential that your child is motivated to develop a love for reading and not just read because he/she is required to do so.

Mental stimulation

Although reading is a necessary skill, it must not be rushed. Formal reading should not be introduced too early. Young children need concrete reading-readiness activities to stimulate their minds in preparation for formal reading.

These activities will create the foundation which is necessary for future learning.

Some reading-readiness activities are picture reading, matching, trail a line, word and letter games, story sharing and matching dots to form pictures.

There is also the game in which the child is asked to find the picture which is different in a series or to identify pictures which are the same.

Colleen Thompson is a grade-three class teacher at Alpha Primary School who holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of the West Indies. She can be reached at tercoldrew@yahoo.com.

POSITIVE Parenting