I love reading, more than anything else in the world. In fact when I go shopping with friends, I tell them to make sure that I don't make the bookstore my first stop because I will spend every single cent on books. Believe me, the only reason I keep my clothes and shoes in good condition is so that I don't have to ‘waste' my money on them.

And now, as a continuation of that passion, I am not only writing but am also teaching English for reading comprehension. Along the way, I get to learn about the temperament and characters of children from different age-groups and backgrounds, and one of the things that stand out is that it is easier for children to read materials that interest them. As a matter of fact, if a child doesn't like dinosaurs, it is almost impossible to get him to make any sense of the article he is reading. So the best way to start him on his literary journey is to find his interest, and once he becomes a good reader, to expand that interest into other areas. By then, he would have acquired a reading skill that will help him understand what he is reading.

The reason this happens is because of our thinking patterns. We are attracted to different colors, different tastes, or smell. Hence it is only natural that we should be attracted to different subjects. If you want your child to read in a language that is not his mother tongue, then it is doubly important that you make sure the book or article is about a subject he is familiar with. This will be a strong motivator for him to read because he can understand what he is reading, and it is also a sneaky way to make him familiar with the language's method of articulation and presentation of ideas.

If your child does not have a particular subject he is interested in, there are three things that you can do to help him find it.

1. Read aloud.

Try reading aloud to your children, yes, even the older kids who can read. When you read a fairy tale to a young child, you can take the reading experience a step further by discussing the story. Ask questions such as, "Do you think it was wrong for Snow White to talk to a strange old woman and eat her apple?" or make statements, "Wow, the giant turnip sure looks delicious". This will help them form a habit of active reading, as in, thinking and reading.

Read news articles or columns to older children during breakfast, after dinner or at any time that is natural for your family. It need not be the whole thing, just one or two interesting paragraph. Then use that as your platform to discuss with them about the economy, politics, sports or social issues. This will get them interested in their surrounding and keep the lines of communication between you open. Children, teenagers especially, has a natural tendency to assert themselves, so when they talk, you must listen. If you think their views are very bad, discriminatory or just plain wrong, ask them more questions and let them explain themselves. Don't ever put them down; else they might not be open to you the next time round.

2. Get a library card.

If you ask a child why he doesn't like reading, most times he will tell you that books are boring and no fun. One of the most common mistakes of well-meaning parent is their act in trying to force books they loved as children onto their own children. Trends change and just because your little girl looks angelic, that doesn't mean that she will like Snow White better than a yellow sponge in square pants.

When I was a kid I love fairy-tales and mythological stories. In fact I read everything I could on them; Greek, Russian, American Indian, Eskimo, German, Irish, Chinese, Malay and much much more. From there, I moved on to historical books, both fiction and non-fiction. The next natural progression was social science, and a few years later it was on to Economics. In a sense, I think my parents meager income may have helped formed my reading habit because since they can't buy books for me, they got me a library card. This had allowed me to explore any book or subject I find even remotely interesting.

So take the time to learn the underlying theme that your child enjoys. Bring him to a library and search for books that have similar characters or story-line. Don't worry about it being repetitive, because if children can watch the same cartoon over-and-over, they can read stories with the same theme over-and-over. For all we know, it may be an unconscious attempt to understand how the language works.

3. Give a book allowance.

Another thing you can also consider is a book allowance. This will work better if you are also a book buyer. That way you can both go to the bookstore together and get your own books. There are three rules to remember.

1. Give your child a specific amount and don't add extras. If he wants a book really bad, then he should save the current money and buy the book at your next trip. This is an excellent way to teach children about budget based spending.
2. He can spend it on anything he wants. It is his money. You are allowed to advise him, but ultimately, the decision is his. [What are you doing in a bookstore of ill repute?] The experience will also teach him how to make good decisions and also that bad decisions can be irreversible. Best to learn in a parent controlled environment.
3. Since he is involved in the purchase of the book in terms of choice and value to him, he will be motivated to read it. If he regretted the purchase, don't do the I-told-you-so lecture, nobody, not even an adult, likes to be proven wrong. People are only humble when the criticism does not matter to them. The lecture will either make him reject reading altogether or make him unwilling to explore new subjects because he wants to maintain his dignity.

The most important tip is, enjoy your time exploring your child's interest, because it is an excellent opportunity to build a life-long open relationship.