How to Enhance Creativity in Kids through Reading

(4 - 6yrs old)

By Ashoo ModgilMasters in English Studies (NUS, Singapore)

Masters in English Literature TESOL Certificate (RELC, Singapore)

Certificate in Accessing Personal Genius (Australia)Accredited Self Development Consultant (Australia)

Read Read and Read

make a point to read with your kids daily or at regular intervals

choose age appropriate books

choose the themes your child likes the best

invole your child in choosing the books

How do I read to my Child- Before Reading

Discuss the title and picture at the front page of the book

Ask questions related to the people and things and what actions they are doing as you look through pictures

walk through the pictures and discuss them on each page to build child’s interest

During Reading

Read each page and pause inbetween the lines to ask your child questions .

use question words such as “ Why do you think this has happened?”

who did it?

what will happen next?

if you were in its place, what would you do?

Read with Varied Intonation

vary your pitch and tone as you read to bring out expression and emotion

mimick the character as he or she would speak as you read

create an environment of fun, awe and curiosity for the child

Give Positive Feedback

Encourage the child as he participates and answers your questions through phrases such as” well done”,

“I’m proud of you” “Excellent” “I’m so happy you could answer” “Wonderful” “I like it” “That sounds interesting “etc.

Motivation increases child’s enthusiasm and participation.

Don’t Show Disappointement

Never lose your cool if the child does not know how to answer

Rephrase your question using simple words

Answer on his behalf and ask him if his answer is same or different from yours

After Reading

Ask the child if he liked the story and if he liked it, what did he like and if he disliked it, what did he dislike

Give him the book and ask him to show you his favourite picture and ask questions like” why is it your favourite picture?”

Show him your favourite picture and tell him why do you like it.

Asking Questions

helps to stimulate child’s interest and curiosity is built

it keeps children motivated as brain learns the best when it is genuinely focused in it’s natural relaxed state

triggers the creative aspects of your child’s brain as he is able to imagine the outcome and give response

teaches them to ask questions and expand their communication ability

Types of Questions

ask questions that involve the children such as what do you think will happen to the character

what will the character do next

do you think he is a good person? why why not

if you were in it’s place, what would you do

why is he doing it

Asking Right questions

Enhances the comprehension ability of the child

Enhances the imaginative ability of the child

Triggers his creativity to ask similar or different questions

Boosts his confidence as he is praised for his responses

Discipline and Enthusiasm

Be regular in bonding with the child over book reading experiences.

Book scanning can be done when you are short of time.

Book scanning involves only looking through the pictures by pointing to the characters by their names and guessing the story through the pictures.

Read Read and Read