When Too Much Reading Is Bad For You

 

Books are good. Whether you’re reading to your child or letting them read by themselves, there is an immeasurable amount of development going on. Visualisation, imagination, vocabulary, general knowledge, thinking and debating skills – they all increase in leaps and bounds thanks to being exposed to fiction. “At least ten minutes a day,” experts tell us. What they don’t tell us is, how much is too much.

Apart from the obvious strain on the eyes, too much reading is bad for your body, turning it into a couch potato and depriving you of the opportunity to run, climb trees, swim and jump on the trampoline. Furthermore, reading is a passive activity when compared to more creative hobbies such as drawing, composing music, play-acting, sewing, computer programming and free play.

Of course, if the choice is between watching TV and reading, let them read by all means. But if an opportunity arises to play outside, walk the dog or make Christmas decorations, that’s when putting down the book is the right choice.

Is your child in danger of reading too much? It all depends on their learning style. Do they have a preference for no mobility, working alone, perseverance, visual learning? If so, they may concentrate on books so much, they miss out on other essential development steps. Find out today.

Reading To Your Child

Oxford University Press conducted a research study which concluded that "parents should continue reading to their children up to the age of nine and beyond to help boost their academic results". It is awesome to hear that our intuitive belief now has a firm basis of scientific research.

It stands to reason, of course: when parents read aloud, they will typically choose books that are above the reading level of the child. This will increase the child's vocabulary and grasp of grammar, and it'll also expand their horizons by introducing them to more complex settings, ideas and issues, particularly if the parents take the time to discuss the book in between the reading sessions.

Although children with an auditory learning style will respond best to this exercise, parents should persevere reading aloud to children who do not have a preference for auditory input, as long as the child's other learning needs (for time of day, room temperature, intake, and so on) have been met.

What are your child's learning needs?

Working Style Analysis - More Than A Personality Quiz

Are you a good problem solver? How well do you manage anger? Do stress and anxiety interfere with your life? How strong is your relationship? If you were a tree, would you be a solid oak or a weeping willow? Are your emotional highs and lows normal? Do you focus on a task or zone out? Are you pushing yourself too hard?

If you like doing personality quizzes like the ones above, you will love answering our Working Styles questionnaire. Working Style Analysis is scientifically designed to determine your optimal working mode and environment. Unlike many of the tests available elsewhere, though, this tool will give you:

• a set of well-researched and reliable guidelines
• a comprehensive report with summaries and graphs
• a thorough analysis of 48 elements of your unique Working Style
• career guidance.

 Check out your Working Style Analysis today.

Help - my working style is interfering with me exercise routine!

Say the word routine and, depending on your working style, you will experience either a sense of stifling or a wave of well-being. If you have a preference for variety, the idea of an exercise routine, any sort of routine, will be enough to make you want to run a marathon in order to avoid it. It’s no good for your personal trainer to set up an upper body schedule on Monday, leg exercises on Wednesday and abs on Friday, it’s the mere thought that every Monday you work on your biceps and triceps from 6.30 till 7 will be enough o set your teeth on edge.

So how do you stay fit if you hate routine? Make it as un-routine as possible: swim twice one week and do aerobics the next. Jog around the neighbourhood instead of going to the gym. Play squash once a week for a month, choosing a different time slot every time – include weekends in your schedule. Exercise in the morning the one week, at lunchtime the next and before dinner the third week. Go swimming at the local pool. And at the beach. You may not get as much benefit as the person who has an optimal exercise routine, but at least you’ll stay healthy.

Good luck. Do it with your Working Style!