With a cacophony of digital devices calling for their attention, it\u2019s a wonder that any child nestles down with a book in the modern world. Yet millions do because they\u2019ve been introduced to the right reading materials at the right age, to show them how rewarding and exciting it can be to get lost in the pages of a book. This short article examines how to instill in your children \u2013\u00a0be they your class or your own kids \u2013\u00a0a love of literature, whatever their background or interests.<\/p>\n
Loving Literature<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Too often, English class can feel like a dull exercise, plodding through books before talking about metaphors and similes. That might be what the syllabus demands, but that\u2019s not necessarily how you need to teach books to pupils or your own kids. The most important lessons that you can leave them with \u2013\u00a0and one that\u2019ll stick with them for life \u2013\u00a0is to love books and to find in them the kind of solace and serenity that children through the ages have found in literature.<\/p>\n To get them there, a Literature Appreciation Certificate<\/a> will certainly help. It\u2019s designed to help English teachers get their class enthused about books \u2013\u00a0not just the features of books that they\u2019ll have to write essays and exams on. This is a brilliant way to augment your love of books, too, while passing it down to the new generation.<\/p>\n Finding Great Books<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>There\u2019s little use in putting a work of Shakespeare in front of a 12-year-old. They simply won\u2019t be able to penetrate these wonderful plays and will instead begin associating great literature with boring texts that they can barely comprehend. It would be best if you placed exciting books in front of children, whether they\u2019re toddlers or young adults<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are obvious starting points here. Most children love working through the Harry Potter books, even if they’ve already seen the films. There are spy novels and books about being a teenage girl that\u2019ll speak to different types of young person and their interests. Research online to find books most appropriate for your kids or your class.<\/p>\n Active Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>In the past, books weren\u2019t taught. You would set your class a reading, and ask them to come back the following week to discuss what they\u2019ve read and what they thought of it all. Unfortunately, this formula isn\u2019t all that inspiring \u2013\u00a0and can actually lead to pupils switching off and not critically interrogating the reading material you\u2019re giving them.<\/p>\n