What influences have you had in your life that you have transferred to the life of your children and their education?
My parents are not academic but all they wanted in life was to expose us to education, to give us all the opportunities they could give us, with the hope that we go to University despite the fact that we are Gozitans, and hence the struggles are bigger. This aim I try to make it my own. I’ve given the best education to my son in the school we chose for him, and also to our daughter now that she has started her education adventure.
With high importance placed on literacy for a child’s educational development, what aspects of reading to a child do you think is most important?
Reading every day is a must in our household. My son who is now sitting for his o’levels, has spent all his summers in libraries, reading adventure/thriller books adapted to his age. Our outings to various libraries were on a weekly basis, and the same is happening with my daughter. We read during lunch, on the ferry, at the playground and anywhere possible. We always have books with us everywhere we go.
What particular book genre do you believe are lacking in the 5-10y year-old age bracket?
More biographies.
What tips or recommendations would you give to parents if their child has no interest in reading?
Read yourself. A child can benefit if he sees a parent reading.
How did motherhood change the way you viewed the importance of education?
We moved to Malta for more opportunities in education, especially at tertiary level, once I became a mother.
What is the one thing you would like to see implemented in schools today?
More importance dedicated to reading in open areas, not school environments only. They should have reading days outside in the countryside, rather than fixated on the syllabus. The syllabi should be revised to give more flexibility to the teachers.
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