5 Reasons Why Riddles Hold A Special Place In Your Child's Reading Journey
In case you are unable to figure out the answer to that riddle, maybe you should spend more time with riddles. Take turns with your child for guaranteed fun!
Riddle is a short read for starters
Being generally short it appeals to all sorts of readers. It very simply removes the pressure of decoding large texts. Plus there is more time available to read and figure the answer as no one is ever expected to know the answer to all riddles the first time.
Riddle is like a puzzle- helps you draw upon what you already might know- hence it is less daunting
Being tested isn't exactly a nice experience for most people. Factual questions in quizzes excites many children but so do riddles. The reason is that they know the answer is right there waiting to be found. They just need to think and they will be able to find it, if they at least give it a try.
Riddles pave the way to multiple approaches to interpret a text- there needn't be only one perspective
Many people when asked the riddle in the red box above, said the first thing that came to their minds was a pencil. But then they realised that it just doesn't make sense. How can a pencil lead become sharper the more you use it? If you are still thinking what the answer is, the answer is your brain.
Here is another interesting one that one of the young readers at the Young Readers' Club asked.
As mind boggling as that one is, the answer is echo. It took awhile for the group to get their heads around it but once they got it, they were super thrilled.
Riddles help children discover new words/expressions/word applications in a playful manner
Consider this riddle.
"Why did the robber take a bath before he stole from a bank?"
"That's because he wanted a clean 'getaway."
Here is one that helps children take notice of words that could have two meanings.
"Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?"
"That's because it did not have the guts."
Riddles to simple make children laugh
"What did one maths textbook tell another maths textbook?
"We both have problems!"
In sum, riddles paves the way for reading comprehension, thinking, problem solving, appreciating language and much more.
If you are an adult who loves to read, you may want to consider some brilliant riddles that have appeared in a variety of literature here
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Both weekday and weekend batches are available at the Young Readers' Club. While this program is for the 8-11 age group, the Young Writers' Club program for the 12-14 age group offers a weekly platform to read and discuss curated articles from the news, observe writing approaches and practise one's writing skills.
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