Although, my son knows how to read; he just uses it for practical purposes. That’s why I was glad when his school introduced a Reading Program; wherein the children have to read a number of pages or books in a week. This is something that every school should have or at least look into. Game consoles, computers and TV have made our children lazy; and reading aloud is probably the best way to “exercise” the brain. Not only that, you get to teach your kids new words. When I was in 4th grade, our English teacher told us that when we learn a new word, our brain curls. Though I have never really researched the truth behind this, I actually believe that learning new words makes us more intelligent.

I want to start him off with just reading; and maybe move on to writing when he gets much older. His imagination is already vivid, and he is a creative boy; so I don’t really see any problems with regards to him becoming a “typewriter” like me. (Quick story: My son said that he wanted to be like me when he grew. When I asked what I do for a living, he said that I was a typewriter!)

I started him with kid’s magazines (K-Zone) and comic books (the Pokemon comic books that sell for like P280 or something in National Bookstore) because he was more into pictures. I want him to stop reading K-Zone because these are usually beside the men’s magazines (Sheesshh!); and I see him looking over the half naked cover girls – which is really not a good idea! For the Reading Program in his school, I bought him some books by Roald Dahl. He seems to be enjoying them because he can’t stop reading even when he’s starting to doze off. And he understands what’s actually written because I hear him laughing.

For my 8 year old son, Roald Dahl’s books are enough. I feel it’s best if we stay away from Harry Potter, Pendragon and Inheritance – these are for older kids. If you have other books that my son might enjoy reading, please do share. Maybe the other moms will also have an idea what to start their kids on.