“ Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are leaders”

                                                     – Harry Trueman

 

Reading is a transformative journey that holds the potential to dictate one’s destiny. As we go through the annals of history, we understand how books have shaped the course of great leaders’ lives. But, a pertinent question that lingers is, how can we cultivate the habit of reading in a  generation that is glued to the screen? Let’s try to find the answer.

How do we develop the habit of reading in children?

Instilling the habit of reading in children requires a  harmonious effort of schools and parents. Schools play a pivotal role in piquing the curiosity of children in books through engaging libraries. Meanwhile, at home, parents can arrange a conducive environment that entices children into the magical and powerful world of words. Hence, let’s delve into the ways by which schools and parents can contribute to cultivating the habit of reading in children.

What strategies Libraries can employ to nurture the habits of reading?

# 1. Book talks

Organizing book talks is a good way to ignite their interest in reading.  It piques their curiosity, leaving them restless to know the rest of the story. Thus, it will hook the young minds and force them to reach for the book

# 2. Arrange authors’ visit to the school library.

Give them a surprise by arranging their favorite author’s visit to the library. Additionally, organize an exclusive Q&A session with the author. It opens the door to an engaging dialogue with the creator of their heroes. Thus, they delve deep into the creative process of writing.

#3. Storytelling sessions

Dedicated storytelling sessions by authors and teachers are a great way to develop the habit of reading in children. It stirs their curiosity to enter into an imaginative world.

#4. Reading workshops

Navigating them through the various aspects and strategies of reading via workshops will enrich their experience of reading with valuable insights.

How can parents help children to cultivate the habit of reading?

 #1. Create a reading routine

If you are pondering over how to guide your child toward the world of reading, the initial step is to establish a consistent reading routine for them. Your duty does not end there. You have to ensure that they follow the routine without fail. Eventually, they will follow suit and develop the habit of reading.

#2. Read out loud

Spend time with your kids and read out loud to them. It nurtures a positive association with reading from an early age. As a result, they learn new vocabulary, acquire comprehension skills, and develop language, all of which are the building blocks of a good reader. Eventually, they will start to love reading and become independent readers.

#3. Bedtime story ritual

You can schedule a bedtime story session and read out loud to your child. It not only fosters the love for reading but also creates a strong emotional bond between you and your kid.

#4. Show them you read

Children learn by observing. Hence, when they see you engrossed in reading, it will automatically encourage them to emulate you. They will pick up the book. So, leading by example is an effective way to inspire your child to read.

#5. Carve out a reading corner

Arrange a dedicated space for reading. It will give them a conducive environment that is free of distractions. Moreover, a designated reading corner acts as a visual cue for reading. Thus, children will associate the space with reading and books.

#6. Be with them with feedback

Regular feedback will help them to identify their mistakes and weaknesses. For instance, children may flutter or mispronounce words and misunderstand meanings. For better comprehension, introduce them to the context and setting of the story in advance. All of this will make their reading journey an effortless one. Eventually, it will kindle a love for books

Tips for parents to allure your children into the habit of reading

#1. Introduce them to diverse genres and books including comics, magazines, audiobooks, etc.

#2. Give them the freedom to choose the book that aligns with their tastes.

#3. Set limits to screen time and replace them with books.

#4.  Gift them a book on their special days and occasions. Select books that align with their interests and tastes.

#5.  Set a reading challenge and ask them to read a certain number of pages in a specific period. On completion, congratulate them with rewards. This will incentivize them to pick up the book. Slowly, the habit of reading will become a part of their life.

 

Six books to start with

Now, that you have imbibed the strategies for inculcating the habit of reading in children, the next step is to pick the perfect book for your child. Here are six exciting books to hook your child to the pages that will eventually foster a lifelong love for reading.

Malgudi Days R K Narayan
The Cherry Tree (Ruskin Bond)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Charlotte’s Web ( E.B White)
Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)
Harry Potter (J K Rowling)

How does Asoka World School promote the habit of reading?

Our library, a repository of literature, stands as a reading nook for young readers. It has a wide range of reading materials catering to different tastes. The library welcomes children with various genres including science, literature, history, and many more.

Similarly, realizing the significance of cultivating the habit of reading, we have curated various innovative programs. For instance, we have unique whole-school reading and creative writing programs called ‘Drop Everything And Read’ and ‘BIG WRITE’. They aim to inculcate the habit of reading in children. Additionally, they make them prolific language users.

Likewise,  to foster the love for reading and make reading accessible to students across various schools,  Asoka World School, one of the best CBSE Schools in Kochi, have taken a step through the “Kalithattu- The Kids Collective”. As part of the program, we have provided free access to our knowledge center library which awaits with more than 4,000 books.

Let’s Wrap Up

It is easy to make the child glued to a mobile phone or a tablet. But, instilling in them the habit of reading takes effort and demands time and patience.  However, the dividends are immeasurable. Hence, go that extra mile and join a collaborative effort with schools to help your child immerse into the captivating world of letters.