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The Care and Feeding of VerbivoresDec 04 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I have a serious word addiction. As early as second grade I delighted in looking up bad words in the dictionary. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher had to force me to stop reading long enough to socialize. Hey, it wasn't my fault that the other kids weren't as interesting as Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Every visit to the library was like a holiday; only instead of stuffing myself with candy, I got to stuff my brain. So many new ideas, and all those favorite characters to keep up with! Books not only allow me to explore this world, but some authors create an entire universe you only wish was real. To this day, being in a library or a bookstore puts me in a trance. I wander around, pick up something that looks interesting. Then I pick up another book, and so on, until my arms get tired. If I'm in a bookstore, I sit down and try to think of how I can rationalize yet another book purchase. If the above description sounds like you, or your child, you have a potential verbivore on your hands. The word "verbivore" was coined by author Richard Lederer. Simply put, a carnivore devours meat, an herbivore devours plants, and a verbivore devours words. Maybe your child isn't a verbivore right now, but wouldn't it be nice if he or she read more often? My parents produced two lifelong verbivores. Perhaps you'd like one too? Well, you don't need to adopt me -- you can grow your own! Read! (Yes, I mean you!) More important, let your children know that you read. They may not always pay attention to you, but children tend to value the same things their parents do. When they see it happening every day in their home, they'll come to think of reading as a normal, relaxing activity rather than a chore. My parents read before bedtime, they read on the weekends, my mom even read in the bathtub. Visit the public library often Books are getting more and more expensive, but not at the library. As a family outing, the library is cheaper than the movies, plus there's no pressure to buy popcorn. You will be able to re-visit some of your favorite books from your childhood. Not only will your children get into the habit of reading, but you can find books for yourself as well. Most public libraries have reading programs for children and young adults. In addition to books, you can borrow videos, CD's, and software from the library. Just remember to keep track of what you borrow -- believe me, those overdue fines add up! Read books turned into television shows I'm not talking about books designed to promote toys or television shows, but television shows that are based on classic children's books. For example, do your children know that, back in the day, Arthur only existed on the printed page? I still remember how the author, Marc Brown, hid the names of his two sons, Tucker and Tolon, in the illustrations...but I digress. These books and subsequent television shows are so successful because the authors set out to tell a good story with memorable characters. Reading about characters they are already familiar with is one way to help reluctant readers. Arthur, Winnie the Pooh, Mr. Men, Richard Scarry, and Little Bear are a few example of books for younger children. There are of course books for all ages that have been translated into other media -- and, more often than not, the book is better than the movie. Closing verbalizations I don't remember exactly when or how I started to read, but I do know how I improved my reading skills: I simply kept on reading. I enjoy it so much that I don't even think of it as work. My parents kept books around the house, they read to us every day, and we went to the library often. I believe that, in addition to building my vocabulary, being exposed to so much text helps me become a better writer. Though I am by no means an expert, I have a feel for the language. I even keep a dictionary handy in case a word comes up that I don't know. I get a thrill from doing crossword puzzles and other word games. The written word completes me. Of course, not everyone is going to become a full-blown verbivore, but most children can at least learn to read at their grade level, and develop some appreciation for the written word. Encourage, but be realistic. If you have a headache, and the kids are hungry, and the dog is sick, don't feel bad about skipping the weekly trip to the library. If you suspect that your child is having a really hard time reading, you may want to test for learning disabilities or vision problems. There doesn't have to be a TV/book dichotomy, either. Children don't need TV as much as they need books, but it is possible to be an avid reader and an avid fan of The Simpsons. Thank you for reading my words on words, and good luck to you and your budding verbivore.  |
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