Psychologist Harps on Early Reading Habit to Close Gap in Adulthood
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
Psychologist and author of 10 children’s books, Teresa Oyibo Ameh, has stated that early reading habits in children has the potency of closing the gap of poor reading culture in adulthood, and has urged parents to deliberately instil a strong reading culture in their children.
Ameh revealed this yesterday in Abuja at the launch of her ninth and tenth books, saying that such is critical to the confidence, communication skills and overall development in children.
In presenting the books namely, The Rise of the Phoenix and Mariamo and the Bowl of Cashews, Ameh said children who are not exposed to reading at an early age often grow into adults who struggle with self-expression and public communication.
“Children who don’t read grow up to become adults who don’t read. There are adults today who find it difficult to express themselves in public because they were not used to reading while growing up.
“We are trying to raise children who can compete with their peers anywhere in the world on any topic,” she said.
Ameh disclosed that her passion for children’s literature stemmed from her desire to positively shape young minds
and noted that the positive impact of such storytelling inspired her to document the stories in books so they could reach more children.
“With a lot of words, I am a great storyteller. My son and I used to engage in storytelling every night, and those stories were packed with lessons about what to do and what not to do.
“If I can have this effect on my child, why don’t I put it in writing to reach other children out there?” she asked.
Reviewing Mariamo and the Bowl of Cashews, Salamatu Sule commended the author’s creativity, saying the book effectively combined storytelling with meaningful lessons.
She noted that the book highlighted key lessons, including the mother as a friend, teacher and mentor, the use of everyday experiences as teachable moments, and the importance of friendship, trust and emotional bonding.
“Stories shape childhood, and colours shape memory. The author understands both with remarkable depth,” she said.
In her submission, Director of Internally Displaced Persons at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI)
Fatima Mamman Daura, said Nigeria is making significant strides in promoting reading culture with various initiatives aimed at encouraging people to develop a love for reading.
Its importance cannot be overstated, as it is a key factor in individual and national development which also helps children develop their memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills, while also promoting cultural awareness and emotional intelligence.
However, she lamented that Nigeria faces significant challenges in promoting reading culture, including limited access to books, poor reading habits, and inadequate infrastructure.
