Let's Talk Life

Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson, Contributor

Early reading

Dear Counsellor,

I would like some information on teaching children to read. I am pregnant and want to get it right.

-Margaret

Dear Margaret,

Many people propose that you talk to the foetus daily and he will remember the voice. Are you a reader? Reading is a task that will be lifelong. Children imitate the adults who are family members. You will need to be reading to the baby so that after a while it becomes a habit. Start reading children's stories to your infant nightly so that as he grows, he will like hearing stories at bedtime.

As you teach your child about phonics, he will get a grasp of the English language. There are electronic ways to teach your child to read. Some people have shown that you can teach infants to identify and call words. As children grow, they will choose challenging stories. As spiritual life is important, you could include your child in nightly devotions and let the Bible be one of the books that he reads. The objective is to have a child who can read fluently. Each culture has its rules, rituals, and stories. The children love these stories and they get to have roots in their society.

Let your child make up stories and tell you. There is a board game call Scrabble, and this can help children learn words and how to make them. As your child gets older, he can learn to play chess as this will help with focus, concentration, and working memory. Schedule time for reading. It could be homework or home reading. Let your child join the local library and choose books that he likes. In the beginning, he should be reading books with many pictures. Children's books are cheap at the bookshop so you can buy some.

Teaching reading can be exciting, but challenging. It is priceless to see the happy face of a fluent reader.

School bully

Dear Counsellor,

My daughter is complaining about a male student who is bullying her. What can I do?

- Sharon

Dear Sharon,

Bullyism is on the rise in schools. You need to speak with the teacher, principal, and guidance counsellor. School violence is on the front burner and everyone is on-board. Schools now have guidance counsellors, deans of discipline, chaplains, and nurses. A lot has been done in the school system, and the technical staff is being trained in how to deal with behavioural and emotional issues.

Children have to be taught to deal with bullyism at school.

Email questions and feedback for Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson to yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.