All About Your Child

Allan and I were hunting for 2 books for ourselves, in Popular Bookshop.
Suddenly, Kitkit came to me, while my eyes were still scanning through the shelves, and said: “Mummy, I want to buy a book.”
Me: “Shall we go to the library instead? We can borrow as many as you want.”
Kitkit: “No, it makes me feel like its not mine. I don’t like.”
Me: “Hhhmmm….are you sure you will read?”
Kitkit: “Yes. I promise.”
Me: “Ok, go search and see if you can find a book which you like.”

Before I went on to the next shelf, he stood beside me with a thick book in his hands.
The first thing that came to my mind was: “What?! Of All Books, Why this?!”
We rented the ‘The Hunger Games : Catching Fire’ DVD not long ago.
The images are still fresh in my head and he wants to buy the book?!

Me: “Why do you want to buy this book? You already know the whole story and the ending.”
Kitkit: “Because I like the story. I want to read it again.”

Then it dawn onto me.
Don’t we adults do that too?
We keep doing things that we like.
We keep talking about things we love.
We keep reminiscing memories that makes us smile.

Me: “I would be very disappointed if I see the book sitting on your table instead of in your hands.”
Kitkit: “I’ll pay for the book. Then I will read.”
*laugh*

Yeah! *clap clap clap*
Our teachings are definitely sinking in……..
Allan and I often tell the kids: “Most Humans don’t treasure things that are FREE.”

After 30mins, that was the only book that came home with us.
Allan and I could not find our books, and yet, the one who did not intend to buy anything in the first place, ended up a happy camper.

My 10 year old hardly requests to buy books.
This time, I can see the glow in his eyes.
He even insisted to have it wrapped!
I wrapped for him and earned a big grin and a ‘Thank You’;
…… and he?
He earned a new, nicely wrapped book, which he dropped into this school bag.

My son is NOT a reader by nature and I think it has a lot to do with me. Most parents would grab a story book or two before bedtime and start to read the words printed on the book.

Whereas I, do NOT.

I will tell them stories from my brain, my heart, my soul during their toddlers-time. My stories evolves around principles of life, ethics and morals. Sometimes humans are the main characters in my stories and sometimes animals and insects become the lead actors and actresses.

Please don’t ask me how can I could come up with a story without preparation.

I do not know. It just happens.

In fact, this ability has been in me since young, I can start telling a story from no where. That was why I became the story telling cum play teacher in the child care centre which I worked at in my younger days. *wink*

Since Keatkeat is not much of a reader, you can hardly see him sit still with any books except for Dinosaur books. All he does is look at the pictures and say, “Mummy Look! This dinosaur have ‘this’ and ‘that’ on its body!”

But ever since two years ago when my nephew wanted a latest release of Geronimo Stilton hardcover book, my son got hooked onto the mouse.

Only one thing caught my attention in Geronimo Stilton books: Adjectives were printed in a different colour and in different font. This greatly helps the subconscious mind to recognise and remember.

So now he reads Geronimo Stilton books:

When he is waiting for something or someone

When he is attending a Wedding

Before bedtime

When he is at the Bus-stop

When he just bought it from the bookshop with the empty plastic bag still hanging on his arm

Fortunately, my 2nd niece also has a number of Geronimo Stilton books, so we bought those which she does not have and borrow her collection to read.

It is amazing how Geronimo Stilton books could ‘wake this sleepy head’ up and get him reading and be INTERESTED in reading. With this new addiction, his speed of reading has improved tremendously!

It used to be One-Second-One-Word kind of reading, now he could complete the 315 pages of the hardcover copy of Geronimo Stilton book in 5 days! Hooray! *clap clap clap*

Does your child likes Geronimo Stilton Books too?

Geronimo Stilton Books