Long-term benefits of the reading habit

As you may know, the first six years of a child are vital for brain development. A child learns rapidly during this period, given the right fillip. By inculcating and nurturing reading skills early, the functioning of the entire brain can be positively structured, apart from the habit becoming a life-long hobby.

Early reading in children not only helps in academics, but also assists in grooming their personality, increasing knowledge and fostering creativity. Studies have shown children who miss ‘reading’ opportunity in early stages find it hard to acquire good reading habits in their later years. Reading difficulties can lead to struggles in the classroom, which increases the possibilities of future behavioural problems. But the challenge need not be a battle if you follow some simple strategies:


Be a role-model: As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. Kids learn from what they observe. If we are going to encourage kids to read, we need to do it too. If you’re excited about reading, your child is likely to catch your enthusiasm, too. When your child sees you reading newspapers, magazines, books etc, she or he reinforces the importance of reading. While imparting passion for reading is a thoughtful gift a parent can give, it also promotes a loving parent-child relationship.


Make reading enjoyable: Make it a fun activity. Use picture books. Talk to your child. Share reading experiences. Be dramatic and use effective voice modulations to sustain their interest. Setting up a mini-library at home or such similar ideal ambiences can enhance their curiosity. Organise a reading spot. Even a small corner couch with good lighting would do.


Expose them to variety: Reading doesn’t have to be limited to traditional stories. Children may also enjoy non-fiction books, including encyclopaedia, newspapers and magazines. For those kids who have not yet begun reading, asking questions about the story such as “What do you think is going to happen next?” will help familiarise themselves with the story structure. If your children are reluctant readers, excite them to play a character from a fictional tale, complete with dialogue, which may help motivate them to read a text.


Academic prowess: When the child loves reading, she or he will be inspired to learn more, and consequently score higher grades. Quality vocabulary and comprehension skills will enable the pupil to excel in academics. Increased focus on the subjects is the direct outcome of early reading habit. Reading, over a period of time, promotes discipline, moral values, maturity and self-confidence in the child. At school, teachers can engage students in a reading club, where students are able to read in groups and interact with each other by re-telling the story they had read, which enhances their reading fluency.


Create reading time: Establish a reading routine. A separate period at schools should be marked to ‘read’. After reading, children will randomly be selected to review the content, that will lead them to ask questions, seek answers and expand learning.


Give autonomy: Reading should be a choice, not a task. Though children tend to gravitate towards stories they liked, occasionally nudge them towards a new author or title. Remember, there is a fine line between encouraging and forcing. Point out similarities between everyday events and stories you recently read. Help your child write a letter to his or her favourite author.


Explore libraries: Visit a library, a treasure trove for children. Let them look around and see what catches their interest. They are more likely to read something they picked themselves. Being surrounded by other children who love reading can be viral to your child’s joy of reading.


Motivate: Reading should be an optional activity, so tread slowly in the beginning. Introduce reading as a delightful pastime, not rigorous punishment. Recognise their effort and listen attentively when they discuss. Reward them in the form of books. Connect stories to children’s lives. To stimulate, use some sort of visible record of achievement, say, a colourful chart, marking the number of books a child has read.

Encourage research: Teachers should minimise providing handouts to students but rather encourage them to read and research. Both reading and academic achievements are inter-related.


Express better: Learning to read is a huge confidence booster and encourages a child to comprehend well. Reading ameliorates both oral and written communication skills. Those who cannot, will find themselves at constant disadvantage.