As part of its efforts to encourage the young to read, the National Library Board (NLB) organised the 10,000 & More Fathers Reading! initiative for the fifth time, starting on Saturday 4 June 2011. This event was aimed at encouraging fathers to be more involved in their children's literacy development by reading to them.
The reality is, in today’s busy world, many fathers have lost the art of telling their stories to their kids. Thus, in the spirit of this recent event, and also the upcoming Fathers' Day, I feel the time is perfect to highlight the wonders and benefits of reading and telling stories, and hopefully encourage more daddies to start reading and tell stories to their little ones! Reading doesn't have to involve books, you can read interesting pieces of news from the newspaper, articles in a magazine, and you can also tell stories of your own creation!
1. Use them to teach lessons about life.
Stories will stimulate conversations with your kids more easily then lecturing can. There are a lot of issues happening with kids these days, and stories give them a chance to reflect on them.
2. Stories connect your kids with previous generations.
In a society that seems to have families spread out all over, some in other countries, it is vitally important to have ways to have your kids feel connected to their extended families.
3. Stories stimulate your kids' imagination.
One of the best ways to prepare your kids for the world is to engage them in vivid stories that stir their imagination. Kids who are exposed to these kinds of stories will be the creative problem-solvers of the future.
4. Kids who are exposed to stories will continue the tradition with their own families.
Knowing that your family traditions and stories will be carried on by the future generations is very comforting!
5. Stories can encourage your kids when they are feeling discouraged.
Childhood can get pretty discouraging at times. Kids are encouraged by knowing that Mom and Dad have gone through the same kinds of things and have survived.
6. Telling your stories have you remembering your own childhood.
Telling your kids about your childhood is a great way for you to remember and reflect on what was important about your younger years.
7. Telling stories help to create depth and soul in your kids.
In today's TV and gadget crazy culture, telling stories can capture your kids' attention and convey real meaning.
8. Telling stories to your kids tell them "you're worth the time".
Is there anything more important than conveying to your kids that you want to spend intimate time with them?
9. Telling stories is a great chance to convey your values.
Your kids will be getting quite a few messages from their friends and from popular culture. Stories are a great opportunity to sneak in a few cherished values for your kids to hear.
10. Well-crafted stories create a wonderful mindset for your kids before they fall asleep.
Kids will fall asleep faster and with healthier images when you tell them your stories.
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10,000 & More Fathers Reading! 2011 will run till September 2011. For more details on upcoming programmes, members of the public can visit 10000fathers.nlb.gov.sg
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