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Let the children read

There is no time like the vacation to get children to read, writes V. Ganesan

Schools should give a thought to how they can help revive the reading habit amongst their students. With the approaching summer vacations, they should chart out a reading programme for the kids so that they can spend their time in a fun yet useful way. English teachers and those teachers who love reading can make a list of story books and make it compulsory for the children to read them before the vacation is through. The children could be given the additional task of writing out the review of the books they have read. The parents' active participation in the exercise will add to the effectiveness of the programme. Parents can follow a few simple tips to encourage their young children to read:

Choose simple yet colourful books

Gift books on Birthdays or other occasions

Carry story books for them during travel

Encourage them to browse in book shops

Take them to libraries

Get them to read news papers

Form reading clubs in the locality or apartment you reside in

If started early enough the reading habit is for life and the children will gain confidence, fluency of expression and communication skills and improve their vocabulary. Comprehension, concentration and even academic performance will improve with the habit of reading.

Once the initial hiccups of getting the children hooked to the habit of reading are over, it is smooth sailing.

It is the collectively responsibility of schools and parents to inculcate the habit of reading and no time is greater than this summer vacation.

May I request all Principals and Head Masters to take note of this seriously ? After all, we all want well-read students, don't we?

(The writer is Principal, Satchidananda Jothi Nikethan MHSS, Kallar)

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