eading is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Not only does it help them develop a strong vocabulary and improve their grammar, but it also helps them think analytically. Parents need to embrace ambiguity to encourage active reading and analytical thinking in children. There is always more than one way to solve a problem, and books are a great way to teach this lesson. In this blog post, we will discuss how to encourage active reading and analytical thinking in children by discussing and reflecting on books!
As parents, we want our children to be able to read and understand what they are reading. We also want them to be able to think critically about the text and come up with their interpretations. But, unfortunately, or fortunately, the world isn’t black and white, and neither is literature. Whether we are talking about picture books or novels, there will always be many different ways to look at a situation.
A simple exercise is to have your child explain how a character feels from a picture alone, text, or both. You can also ask them to put themselves in the shoes of different characters and explain how they would feel if they were in their situation. This type of thinking requires children to analyze the thoughts and attitudes of others, something that will come in handy in their everyday lives!
Be aware that there is not a single answer. People are full of contradictions! We can be happy and sad, scared and brave, all simultaneously. The important thing is that your child is thinking about the characters and their feelings.
Another helpful skill is learning to see both sides of every issue. Please help your child understand that there are always multiple interpretations of events, and everyone has their own opinion. Teach them to be open-minded and understanding, two essential qualities in today’s world. A great book to bring up this kind of discussion, at least one that I remember from childhood, is The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf as told by Jon Scieszka. It is the story of the three little pigs from the wolf’s viewpoint, and it appears the three little pigs misunderstood the wolf’s intentions entirely.
The next time you are reading a book with your child, take the time to discuss the different points of view represented in the story, perhaps even the villain’s viewpoint, if there is one.
When we encourage our children to be active readers and analytical thinkers, we give them the tools they need to succeed in school and life. So next time you are reading a book with your child, take some time to discuss it with them and ask them to reflect on the characters’ thoughts and attitudes. Embrace ambiguity and encourage your child to think outside the box! Thanks for reading.