[1] The Prophet of Islam has said...

[1] The Prophet of Islam has said: Pity on the children of the Last Epoch, for what their forebears have brought to them. Although the parents would themselves be Muslims, they would not acquaint the children with the religious duties. [2] The other responsibility of the parents is that they bring up their children in such a way they cultivate the habits of reading good books and become researchers of knowledge. The atmosphere in their homes should be one of education and learning.

They must motivate the children by their words and actions to cultivate the habit of reading. Before the child goes for formal education to the school, he should be introduced to books. In the beginning the parents must read out books to the child. They should read small and interesting stories and fables to make the child interested in books. Give the children books with lots of multicolor pictures and illustrations.

Every day, the parents or the elder siblings should read to the child a part of the book to keep his sustained interest in the contents. They should explain to the child about the illustrations in the book. Then the child should be asked to recount the story and tell about the illustration printed with the story. In this informal education, the parents should not make haste in teaching and should not give to him any books that are beyond his comprehension.

They must first make the child interested in listening to stories, then bring the process of reading out from the [1] Mustadrak, Vol. 2, Page 645. [2] Ibid., Page 625. books. Continue this process till the child learns to read and write himself. Then leave the work of reading the books to the child. Sometimes ask the opinion of the child about a new book that he has read. Discuss the contents of the book with him continue giving attention till the child becomes habituated of reading books.

Here the parents must be reminded of certain points: (1) The children like stories and fables and understand their contents well. It is therefore useful the material provided to them on any subject should be in the form of stories. (2) Every child will have his own individual personality. The capability and tastes too will differ from person to person. There will be changes in the tastes of a person with advancements in years.

Therefore, the parents must first try to gauge the taste and the capability of their child and then bring the books to suit his requirements. Dont thrust difficult and boring contents on the child.