Cherishing a fondness for Reading

Name: Manisha Ravi Tiwari
Degree: M.Lib & Isc.
Role: Librarian
Firm Name: VIBGYOR High, E city Bengaluru

As the famous entrepreneur, author & motivational speaker Jim Rohn says, “Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above ordinary.”

Reading is a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in a child’s overall development. The habit of reading, when cultivated from a young age, can significantly influence a child’s cognitive, emotional and social growth. In an increasingly digital world, fostering a love for books and reading can provide children with numerous advantages that extend beyond academics. Children often mimic adult behavior, so let them regularly see you reading for pleasure. This shifts their mindset from ‘HAVE TO READ’ to ‘WANT TO READ.’ Share your reading experiences and the joy of reading with them. Introducing children to a broad range of books and encouraging them significantly to enhance their interest in reading.

Importance & benefits of reading habits in children:

Enhancement of language skills is the primary benefit of reading books, as they are exposed to a wide range of vocabulary, sentence structures and concepts, which helps improve their language proficiency. Along with this reading aloud with children, in particular can introduce them to the shades of language, including rhythm, expression, voice modulation which are vital for effective communication.

Boosting cognitive development of children, which means reading stimulates a child’s brain, promoting critical thinking & problem solving abilities. Additionally, reading enhances concentration & focus, as it requires sustained attention to understand and enjoy the reading.

Emotional and social benefits, as books often serves as a window into different cultures, perspectives & experiences. It features diverse characters, hence reading all such books children can develop empathy as well as better understanding of the world around them. Stories that deal various situations can help children navigate their own feelings & situations in real life.

Academic Success, yes there is a strong relation between reading habits and academic performance. Children, who read frequently tend to perform better in school across various subjects, not just language and art, but also the comprehension skills developed through reading are transferable to other areas, such as math and science, where understanding problems or instructions are essential. Because reading develop the critical and logical thinking in children that can be a big contributor in their academic performance too. That is why it is said that “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader”