Scientists have already derived a mathematically rational theory of intelligence, which allows to some extent manage its development. You can teach how to be intelligent. But ... the mathematics of the intellect is not "included" without the grammar of fantasy. Humanity for all of its existence has not come up with a better way to develop imagination and intelligence than reading. Reading positively influences intellectual and moral development, promotes mutual understanding of parents and children. Interesting, informative books help to understand the laws of development of nature and society, satisfy cognitive interests, develop intelligence, form aesthetic and artistic taste. But parents should understand that the development of activity, reading and understanding occurs in stages, each age has its own level of perception of the printed text.
Where does the love for reading begin?
The initial hobby for reading is laid in the family with the first children's books. Later, the formation of the young reader occurs under the influence of educators, teachers, librarians. A child growing up in a reading family, even before the school is formed and the very need for reading, and his first skills. However, on this way it is waiting for a lot of obstacles and temptations.
Modern children are available different types of culture - visual, electronic, and book. However, each of them is oversaturated with samples of the so-called mass, ersatz culture - militants, thrillers, erotica, etc. Children need not only to protect themselves from low-quality "creations", but also to engage in useful reading that promotes spiritual and moral development, which sets high ideals of good and beauty, peace and harmony.
But how to do that? First of all, next to the child there should be intelligent, authoritative adults who can direct his reader and cognitive interest. In such a role at different times or simultaneously parents, teachers, librarians act.
Preschoolers
They need a reading to start forming long before entering the first grade. The decisive role in the development of reading activities is played by the family and the kindergarten. The child is at the preparatory stage of reading activity. His first books are "for the youngest" editions - clamshell books, baby books. This is the time of passive reading: the child perceives the book "by ear" and looks at the pictures. From the ability of parents or educators to express emotionally, to read to the child a fairy tale depends very much. Here you need a rich intonation, a changing timbre of voice, a certain rhythm of reading. Adults should feel and not miss the moment when the child not only has the skills of understanding the text, but also the ability to enjoy the book, wait for the continuation of reading.
The main features of perception for preschool children are:
- the ability to empathize, allowing the child to give a moral assessment of various acts of characters, and then real people;
- increased emotionality and immediacy of the perception of the text, which affects the development of the imagination. Preschool age is most favorable for the development of fantasy, as the child very easily enters the imaginary situations offered to him in the book. He quickly develops sympathy and antipathy towards "good" and "bad" heroes;
- increased curiosity, sharpness of perception;
- focusing on the hero of the literary work, his actions. Children are given simple, active motives for actions, they verbally express their attitude towards the heroes, they are impressed by the bright, imaginative language, the poetry of the work.
Junior school age
Psychologists call this period sometimes an initial accumulation. The thinking of junior schoolchildren in its specificity and imagery is similar to the thinking of preschoolers, but at the same time it has a more conceptual character. The most important stage in a child's life is learning. The first-grader starts independent reading, which is characterized by active development of reading and understanding. By the end of the first year of school, most children are already reading rather fluently. The further active development of the cultural space depends on the efforts of teachers and librarians.
Among the features of this age should be distinguished:
- focus on learning, individual definition of the most attractive for oneself creative pursuits (drawing, designing, amateur performances, etc.);
- Excitability, emotionality, requiring the release in an open expression of their own experiences, impressions;
- a vivid imagination, which manifests itself in the child in the desire to live the life of literary heroes, to invent "continuations" of the beloved book;
- "effect of presence" in the life of literary heroes;
- not only an understanding of the external links between phenomena and facts, but also penetration into their inner meaning (there is a desire to read and reread favorite books).
Teens
In adolescence, there is a further formation of ideas about nature, society, man, comprehension of morality, artistic values. Analytical thinking, cognitive and social activity develop. Adolescents begin to worry about serious life problems.
Among the features of psychological development at this stage can be identified:
- active searches
- the sphere of application of makings and abilities (visiting circles, studios, electives), the emergence of new hobbies;
- activation of the process of self-education, intensive socialization, joining interest groups;
- the need to see yourself not only in the present, but also in the future, the emergence of interest in the future profession;
- gender identification - awareness of their belonging to the male or female sex, entering the relevant social roles.
- the learning activity gradually ceases to be all-consuming, although for a while it remains the main one.
Senior students
The senior school age, or intermediate between childhood and adulthood, is the final stage of primary socialization. Ends in high school, the choice of a profession, a person prepares for an independent life, gets a passport and citizenship rights.
Age features of the psyche are diverse and contradictory:
- there is a clearly expressed need for release from control and guardianship
- Parents and elders in general, there is a reorientation of communication: more and more important are relationships not with adults, but with peers;
- develops the desire for self-expression, the assertion of one's own importance; the centers of attraction for the young man are various informal groups;
- the circle of interests goes beyond the scope of study, progress at this stage does not always indicate a successful, harmonious development of the individual;
- values and life plans are formed; often the desire to succeed in life outstrips the psychological readiness for responsible decisions;
- a special place in the life of a young man is occupied by sexual experiences.
As for reading, here the great importance is acquired by fashion, the popularity of this or any other work. The young reader is often concerned not with the book itself and its comprehension, but the impression that the acquaintance with her will have on the people around her.
The development of reading activity in adolescence is uneven. Different groups of readers are distinguished: by interests and preferences, by reading, by the level of the culture of reading, etc. For example, according to the level of the culture of reading, the specialists identified the following groups:
• Low reading or reading accidentally (the level of self-awareness is usually low);
• readers with unilateral interests (most often fans of adventure and detective genres);
• readers with diverse interests (reading search and chaotic);
• Young people who are distinguished by purposeful reading, formed taste, independence in choosing books;
• Young people, whose demand is limited only to educational literature, reading "on assignment".
Thus, each age period is characterized by its peculiarities of understanding reality, its preferences. Depending on them, pedagogical tasks vary, as well as the forms and methods of involving children in reading.