[Reading Parenting] Are you practicing 'letting it sink in'? - The moment a child gains true reading ability -

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Strolling into a bookstore
The book I picked up while wandering
Along with its cover, texture, and scent
Takes root in my heart, now and forever
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Sparkling seeds of the heart for children who read

Hello to all the moms and dads who want to encourage their children to read. 😊 I am one of them.
Developing a reading habit before becoming immersed in digital devices—learning to "read first" can also act as a deterrent to digital dependency.

[Reading Parenting] series, the trigger for wanting to write this is here↓↓↓
・The wish of a close parent friend, and the day I realized there was something even my helpless self could do

Now, today, I'm talking about: Are you practicing "letting it sink in"?

■ Letting it sink in = Discovering the simple emotion of "Aha!"

What is essential in the process of becoming a book lover?

There are many things, but I think it boils down to "letting it sink in."

Some might think that "letting it sink in" is a bit too dramatic for a child...

But in other words, it means being convinced by saying "Aha!".
Something you were curious about in a story sinks in when you finish reading it, or what you were told—that "books are fun"—finally sinks in.

Your own heart is moved.

Isn't there nothing better than this?

Perhaps, if "there are many books at home and my child can read, but they don't seem to enjoy it at all...", they might not have had the experience of it "sinking in."

From the moment they understand in their heart that it is interesting, children gain true reading ability.

--So, specifically, how can children have such a moment?

Even if 100% is impossible, you can set up mechanisms to "increase the probability"

There are several conditions for a shortcut to "reading that sinks in." For children, it is especially important that it is "familiar," and

-- I think this is the basic approach at home (experts might have a different perspective).

By doing this, even if 100% isn't possible, you can significantly increase the probability of them saying 'That was fun!' -- that's how it was in our home.

Just increasing the probability?

For those who think that... I'm sorry.

That's right. Since children are other people, you cannot control their feelings.
It's impossible to force them by chanting 'Find it interesting, find it interesting' (laughs).


So, I first put effort into 'mechanisms to increase the probability.' I set up the environment casually (but with a clear intention).


Not forcing it, but naturally influencing the child's heart... that's why I call them 'gentle mechanisms.'

What is a stress-free state for reading?
Have you ever been involved in 'reading' for a certain period of time?

For example, if you move, few people get used to a new house in 3 days.

But after a month, you settle in comfortably. You might even find favorite shops in the area.It's a feeling that can only happen if you live there for a certain period of time, isn't it?

I think getting used to something means being involved in something for a certain period of time (that's obvious... haha).

In other words, like riding a bicycle,

'practicing reading' also involves being involved for a certain period of time

I hope that can be done.

When faced with a long text, 'people who aren't used to it,' including children, tend to think, 'Ugh, it's just text...'

However, once you get used to it,

the content gradually starts to

sink in smoothly.

In fact, you even get the feeling that you are 'in that world' or 'in the story'.

At this time, your consciousness is 'integrated with the content', and you don't feel that 'writing is a hassle.'
This is 'getting used to it'.


To talk about bicycles again,
The moment you 'can ride!' is the moment 'your body remembers it.'
That's why you practice intensively for a certain period of time, and there is almost no one who 'practices riding a bicycle once a week over a year' (it seems impossible).

Let's create this state for reading as well.

To ensure they are involved with books without stress for a certain period of time until they realize, 'Oh, I'm reading...', make sure the child 'acts proactively'.

So,

make 'liking it' the center.

--That is the a "gentle mechanism".

This "gentle mechanism"--is actually a collection of the articles I have written so far.

Now, let's think about it specifically.

[Conditions to increase the probability of "getting it"] (1) "Books in favorite genres and trends"

is about this.

When using a child's "likes" to shorten the distance to books,

"What kind of content would make this child excited?"

Please think about that first.

And I would like you to try the following,
・[Reading Parenting] Series - Repeating "choosing 3 books out of 10" reveals not just "favorite books" but also "the essence of what they like" - A fun book selection method for parents and children - ...

to try.

There are really many children's books.
You can choose from anything.

Does this child,

adventure fantasy like, or school stories like, or are they attracted to quirky characters, or do they want to solve mysteries with a detective, or do they want to gain knowledge of history or science, or do they like animals, or do they need a happy ending, or are they not afraid of ghosts and yokai appearing, or are they okay with foreign settings, or do they have a preference for illustrations... there are so many points that it's endless just thinking about it.

If you feel "This child might like this...", please like feel..., please expand on that and select books.

When you expand on it, the essence of what they like

becomes easier to see.

By preparing a few books at home in this way, the batting average of "that was interesting" increases, and the probability of picking up the "next book" increases.

"That was interesting!" after reading is a successful experience, and successful experiences are the foundation of a book lover.

Please let them have successful experiences with reading.

(2) What does "in a place within reach" and (3) "always having a few books when they feel like it" mean?

Next, let's talk about [Conditions to increase the probability of realization] (2) (3).

It is also connected to (1), but if you find a book that makes you think 'This is it!', please buy it and let it join your home bookshelf. Borrowing is fine, but books have

A miracle that only happens when you 'buy' them

A miracle that can only be caused by 'books that are always at home'

(For recommended ways to use the library, please read the article mentioned above about 'borrowing 10 books and choosing 3'). For more details, I would be happy if you could read the


following article↓↓↓

・[Reading Parenting] Series: There is a miracle that only happens when you 'buy' books - Even if you borrow them at first, the amazing effect of 'buying if you like it' and 'having it at home' -↓↓↓

(4) Do not get immersed in digital entertainment at the same time as graduating from picture books

Next, let's talk about [Conditions to increase the probability of realization] (4). You need to be a little careful around the time you graduate from reading picture books aloud or around the time you enter elementary school.

If watching videos on the internet and playing games become a daily routine as 'home entertainment', before they can taste the joy of reading that spreads gradually,

their connection with books can suddenly, completely

be severed. It is very unfortunate when they suddenly stop reading.

Even if you set rules, it is difficult for a child's brain to exercise self-control over digital devices, so this is something to think about.

For more details, I would be happy if you could read the following article↓↓↓

・[Reading Parenting] Series: Why 'reading picture books aloud' does not necessarily lead to 'children who love books' -5 or 6-year-old detours might easily take away their 'desire to read'-

By the way,
how to use a computer with a sense of purpose is taught at school. We are now in an era where every elementary school student is given one computer for class from the first grade.

And children are digital natives even if parents teach them nothing (they will learn how to use smartphones on their own eventually). They acquire the skills to master tools in no time, but

the dangers progress simultaneously. Tools are just tools. 'How to use them' is ultimately up to the child. So, I think it would be good to polish

social skills, information literacy, and positive inquisitiveness through reading. I think humanity is important now more than ever.

(5) Do not have excessive expectations such as 'loving books = improved grades'

Finally, [Conditions to increase the probability of finding clarity] (5).

I believe that books are things you read to find hints for your own unique happiness.

I think that is what they are for.

I understand the expectations of those around you that it will make you smarter, but that is a result, not the goal. Seeing a child

reading with sparkling eyes is a wonderful thing. It heals parents, too. While I do feel that vocabulary and comprehension improve as a result, just seeing them excitedly say, "This was so interesting!" feels like a reward for

a gentle setup. I'm glad for you, and I'm happy too, as a mother (haha).

So for now,

I think it's best to value an "environment where it's easy to find clarity"

and watch over the way your child feels, "I like this!" or "Books are interesting."

Once they gain reading ability, they will be able to read "useful books" as a foundation.

For more details, I would be happy if you could read the following article↓↓↓

〇 About reading for happiness↓↓↓

・[Reading-based Parenting] Series: Because being able to read books doubles your "enjoyment" and "options for thinking" in life, making it harder to fall into despair, I taught you to read wishing for your happiness↓↓↓

〇 About the feelings of a "reading child"↓↓↓

・[Reading-based Parenting] Series: Something I want you to believe above all else - To moms and dads who wish for their children to read even though they aren't good at it themselves -

For those who became book lovers as adults—was it not because you "found clarity"?

I often hear stories of people who
suddenly "started reading" when they became high school students or working adults.

The trigger was "a book recommended by someone" or "a book I saw at a bookstore when I was struggling"... what a wonderful encounter.

In any case, wasn't it that "
it struck you at that time and your heart was moved, thinking 'books are great' "...?

It resonated with me.
I think there are times when this simple emotion can change the course of a life.

Children who love books are the bookstore customers of the future

I hope that such opportunities will come to children today at an early stage.

Even though they have friends who tell them about interesting videos and games, it is an era where there are never many people who introduce books after all.

Children who have "books close at hand" at home also feel emotionally closer to the school library and local bookstores.

It almost certainly leads to actions like "I borrowed this!" or "Can we stop by the bookstore?"

A positive cycle is created, and they become even more fond of books

as they grow.

I will say it again and again.

Children who love books are the bookstore customers of the future

It is this foundation that we should be expanding.


For more details, I would be happy if you could read the following article↓↓↓

・[Reading-based Parenting] Series: Even if there are plans to revitalize bookstores, when you calculate backward, "early digital immersion" for children is reducing the number of customers 10 years from now...and the reason why it makes me sad

You say it's "gentle" but you're still setting it up—yes, that's right!

Finally...

I think children are ultimately growing up daily within the setups

prepared by adults.

In a big sense and a small sense. "Society" and "the times" are large
setups. The home is a small (but in a sense, large)
setup. Schools and similar institutions are medium


setups... perhaps. --It might sound exaggerated to call them setups, but

what you give and what you don't give

the order in which you give them

is ultimately up to the adults
.


If that's the case, we want to make it a setup where it's easy for children to breathe, don't we? Even with reading, an environment where they can feel satisfied after acting on their own
is the best, I think.

Through books, smiles for parent and child.

Thank you for reading until the end!

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Children feel books are close to them
Pick them up and get excited reading them
For that, paper books are definitely the way to go
You can even sleep together with them
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* I plan to write about 'specific book selection to gradually increase the amount of text and step up' sometime later

* If they don't show much interest in stories or novels, even among illustrated reference books and knowledge books, if you consciously choose 'books that have plenty of text to read', they will develop the ability to read text!

If you like, please check these out too↓↓↓

・Jobs didn't give his own children smartphones early on...! A story about how I realized the importance of the 'foundation of reading' all over again after my 1st-year junior high school eldest daughter got a smartphone↓↓↓

・A story about being surprised by the real reason why my 3rd-grade second daughter just couldn't read Harry Potter↓↓↓

・[Self-introduction] I am 2025↓↓↓