Importance of Reading for developing children

In a fast-paced world where watching a video on the internet or playing simulation games have taken over, a very important habit has taken a backseat for several children. Several parents share their concern about their children spending time more time digital devices and less time on reading. Not too long ago, children all over the world were super excited about reading the story of the boy who lived. That’s right! Harry Potter was one of those infamous books that had children line up in front of book stores. Unfortunately, that craze to read books is slowly vanishing.

Educators from an English medium girls’ school in Kolkata have explained that reading books of any genre is very important for a growing child. While many children still read, a lot of them have found other modes of engagement and parents often feel helpless in such cases. Educators and parents should take active measures to develop this habit in a child from an early age as reading would help a child in multiple ways.

Read on to find out the importance of ready for a developing child. Some of them might surprise you.

Hello Oxford!

A child reading books can come across several new words which become a part of their vocabulary. An increased vocabulary begins to reflect itself in project work and essays that not only impress teachers, but also boosts a child’s confidence. As the child grows up, the power of their vocabulary can help them in several areas including but not limited to working as a professional write for a newspaper, magazine or the internet.

Attention, no tension.

Children who can inculcate the habit of reading from an early age, learn to develop and hone their focus on the activity in front of them. Think about it, a child trying to read a book that interests them, makes them focus on the story or chapter and not wander off. Their target is to finish the chapter or complete the story. When the child keeps repeating this behaviour of completing the story and avoiding all distractions until they are done, it develops into a habit which gets ingrained into their personality. As a result, when they have a target in mind, they know how to focus all their attention on achieving the target without getting distracted.

Converse to impress

Reading helps in gaining knowledge on various subjects. The direct advantage of reading is that a child is more aware on one or more subjects and can not only start a conversation, but even join one and contribute something interesting for the listeners. Educators involved in secondary school admission in Kolkata, highlighted that, children who read regularly and beyond their course material have often proven to be great orators and exude a lot of confidence.

Power of Imagination

From Harry Potter to Da Vinci Code, there are several hundred thousand books in the world which may be in the fiction or non-fiction genre. Authors of such books are brilliant storytellers who can get you to visualize things by merely describing them in words. As a child, we must have all read a story or two that made us imagine about a character or a scene and even today, you might just be able to explain about that story or character because in the process of reading, you were able to create a connection about it with your imagination. Educators from an English medium girls’ school in Kolkata advocate that a child should read more books in beyond their curriculum to enhance their ability to imagine.

In conclusion, reading is an extremely important and interesting habit that should be instilled in your children from an early age.

Sharmila Sharma is the coordinator of Sushila Birla Girls School, and writes on various parenting and education topics.