Ayn needs to practice

Ayn Needs to Practice

SunStar Davao, December 9, 2023 

In a world full of digital distractions, where children often find solace in screens, Kaley Ayn Tan, an 11-year-old homeschooler has not only embraced the magic of words but has also woven a literary masterpiece at such a tender age.

The fifth grader is a voracious reader, a talented musician, a graceful ballet dancer, and an aspiring swimmer. With her nose perpetually buried in books, Kaley's journey into the world of literature has been nothing short of inspiring. 

Her literary venture began when she encountered personal challenges while learning to play the violin.  “I was having a hard time practicing so I wanted to write about a girl in my shoes,” says the young author.

Kaley then embarked on a two-week journey of penning her first book, a poignant narrative that speaks to the hearts of those who have faced the uphill battle of mastering an art.

The process was not without its challenges. While the story unfolded in just weeks, the intricate illustrations that breathed life into the story demanded a dedicated year of Kaley's artistic commitment. Her art teacher, Emman Mariategue, played a pivotal role in refining and perfecting the visual elements of her book, “Ayn Needs to Practice”.

                  

Sky’s the limit for books

Kaley's love for literature was nurtured from her earliest days.

“We read to Kaley since she was a newborn even if she did not understand. When she started crawling and walking, every night at bedtime she would bring us her board books and make us read them,” recalls mom Keryl.

               

As she grew, Keryl and her husband Wayne got tired of reading long books so they introduced listening to podcasts. Their bedtime book reads slowly turned into listening to stories from Spotify.

“Ever since our kids were little, our standing rule when we go to malls is ‘no buying of toys’ but ‘sky’s the limit for books’. We also have a no TV on a weekday rule, so our kids would have to look elsewhere to entertain themselves. Kaley gravitated towards books,” shares Keryl.

                  

Kaley’s literary influences are as diverse as her interests. From the timeless charm of "Goodnight Moon" to the empowering tales of "Omar Rising" and the classic brilliance of "Little Women," Kaley's bookshelf is a testament to her varied tastes and profound appreciation for the written word. She also enjoys the world of comics such as “Archie”, “Big Nate”, and the delightful escapades of “Phoebe and her Unicorn”.

Follow your child’s lead

Homeschooled since the age of seven under the Tech Bju Program of Homeschool Global, Kaley's education has been a combination of creativity and academics. With an English curriculum that seamlessly integrates writing into every other chapter, Kaley has had the opportunity to explore various writing styles and literary forms.

                   

For parents aspiring to nurture the same creative flame, Keryl offers a golden nugget of advice: “Follow your child's lead. Recognize and encourage the inherent passion within them.”

“No matter how much we push, if the child has no interest, then nothing will come out of it. In our case, Kaley loved reading and has always “published” books by stapling bond papers together and selling them to us. We saw the fire in her and we wanted to keep that fire burning that’s why we really helped her get her first book published. Be ready to shell out a bit of money as we did,” says Keryl.

                   

Recently, Kaley had a successful book launch at the Poblacion Market Central. Aside from her family and friends, her special guests included students of Anytime Music and her Homeschool Global Davao community.

Kaley’s book was published through the Publish on Demand self-publishing platform of Central Books Publishing. Her books are available at Rooke and Reese and Fruits and Trees. A limited number of books will also be available for order through Kaley Ayn Tan’s Facebook page.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.