The pleasure and reward of reading

Jul 23, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
There is not a better time for me, as an individual when I pick up a book or newspaper and sink myself so deeply, that I become transfixed in that moment of delight, where the author takes me on a journey while being unaware of my wife’s beckoning. Two people vying for my attention; on the one hand it’s my wife, on the other it’s the author. Many times it’s the Stabroek News Sunday edition reading Ian McDonald or the editorial. It is my fervent belief that this Author/Poet is very distinct and should I say inspirational or motivational? I say both!
He brings to the mature reader’s mind a certain kind of class in the artistry and aesthetic delivery of thoughts. And in many instances, thoughts that form our actions also determine our knowledge of things, yes things that relates to life itself. Be it is politics, homiletics, dialectics or simple domestics, we all gain knowledge and understanding through reading. Many people today detest reading poetry, but truth be told, poetry sharpens the mind and improve our thinking ability.
For the past two weeks the local media has been inundated with editorials of analysis of educational items of interest to the reading public. But not one of these editorials stresses or emphasizes the reading of poetry as a springboard to creative thinking.
Creative or innovative thinking must be intricately factored to bring about the kind of success we all desire as students of life. Your success, my success will depend on how much and what content we read daily.
Of recent I was invited to a graduation ceremony at the National Culture Centre. This graduation featured children of age five moving from kindergarten and going over to primary. On stage, were eleven [11] children doing an item on the program.
An acronym with the letters spelling out KINDERGARTEN was featured in the item. On listening to the children speak out each letter, the child with the first R spoke emphatically of what was the intended symbolism of that very important letter, making it very clear, it was vital to understand what reading at that level of education is, to the child.
In my opinion that particular item on the afternoon proceeding, more so the emphasis on reading stood out above the other items.
Editor, reading will always be the pivotal dynamics in a child’s ability to comprehend and understand the various concepts in the process of learning.
I recall some years ago a parent invested in buying a book for a four year old to read every day. One book a day reading turned that young boy into a Guyana scholar [honor student] and prepared the way for him to win scholarships to study overseas.
Many parents today never practice reading in their personal life, yet they want their child to excel in reading when they should be the example the child need to love reading.
I read a book written by SYDNEY POITIER entitled, “The Measure of a man.” He is a black American from the Caribbean who became a famous film star in the late sixties.
This man, uneducated and unlearned began his education on the streets of New York. His only means of educating himself in a White man’s country, was reading left back daily newspapers either in a public space or club or sometimes in a library.
Reading brought purpose to him and made him to rise above others, when he had nothing going for him.
Pastor Vanrick Beresford

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