Libraries Can be Fun
2009 September 20
A wonderful article by Chintan Girish Modi, who kindly left the link on the post below:
I cannot believe that some schools actually choose the books for children to read. Really kills the joy of discovery, apart from assuming that everyone is reading at the same level.
4 Responses
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Ra,
I felt the same way – that it was criminal to not be allowed to read whatever I chose – until my kids started elementary school – my kids’ school has a fantastic library and librarian, and while several of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders were given the run of the library, many aren’t – they have to choose from the sections determined to be appropriate to their age/reading/comprehesion level, as do the lower grades.
I went in to talk to the librarian abt this, as my younger one complained that she wasn’t being allowed to take books from sections she wanted – turns out that the majority of kids at those ages are *very* unadventurous when it comes to choosing books, preferring to read and reread books they know well, rather than reading new stuff. The librarian said, in all her years of experience, she has seen this happen over and over and that is the reason they pick books for the younger kids – they work with the teachers on this, and are aware of what books the child is reading comfortably, which areas they could stand to gain some knowledge/experience in etc.
This approach is paying off for my daughter, she has read some authors she would never have touched otherwise – so I think it isn’t an altogether bad thing.
M
M, I don’t think picking and choosing books for children to read based on their interests is wrong, but they should also have the freedom (within reason) to wander around and pick their own books. I had this freedom as a child when my mother let me loose in the bookshop and in my school library-and I feel horrified at the thought of not having had that freedom
. In any case, in those days neither the librarians nor my mother would have known which books to recommend!
Ah but this is where we bump into practicalities like time and resources…I can take her to the local library and various bookshops and let her enjoy what she will, and that evens out the experience. Is reading what you will also a luxury enjoyed by those with the means? I think so, though it shouldn’t be that way.
Yes it shouldn’t
but then Akshara etc are meant for people without the means, so there is hope